Queer is Here
Pride Census Shows Community Largely Comfortable With ‘Q Word’ & Level Of Sponsorship


This years Pride Survey indicates that, more than ever, the community is comfortable with the use of the word “queer” to describe itself. Over two thirds -- 68% -- said they were either ‘comfortable’ (26%) or ‘very comfortable’ (42%) when asked “how do you feel about the word ‘queer’ to describe our community?”. Only 6% were ‘uncomfortable’ and 4% ‘very uncomfortable’, compared with 14% last year. 22% of those surveyed were ‘neutral’ on the issue.

“Clearly, the community is reclaiming what was once a term of abuse and stripping it, and those who would harm us, of their power to do so.”

Additionally, 8.5% described themselves as queer when asked “what is your sexual identity?”, more than double the year prior. Surprisingly, those identifying as queer were spread across all age ranges and genders putting pay to the view that acceptance of the word ‘queer’ is an “age thing”.

The Survey also reveals that the majority of the community is comfortable with the level of the sponsorship at the event. When asked the question, “Would you be more inclined to use a company and their products because of their sponsorship of Pride 2001?” the results were:

2001 2000 1999 1998
Inclined 66.02% 66.4% 65.43% 62.00%
Not Inclined 16.39% 15.2% 18.96% 20.00%
Don’t Know 17.59%

18.4%

 15.61% 18.00%

When asked “Which of the following statements best describes your attitude towards the level of sponsorship of today’s event?” the results were:

Strongly Object 5.04%
Object 13.67%
Neither Object or Approve 33.09%
Approve 26.14%
Strongly Approve 22.06%

Roughly half either approve or strongly approve, a third are neutral and a sixth either object or strongly object. Pride Executive Director, Teddy Witherington, said:

“SF Pride is very careful about the level of sponsorship present at the event. The results indicate most people agree that the agency has struck a reasonable balance between community and corporate participation.”

SF LGBT Pride 2002 takes place over the weekend of June 29 and 30, 2002.

ENDS

For further information please contact Teddy Witherington at : (415) 864 0831