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Ventura Gay Pride Festival to feature activities for children
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What: Ninth annual Ventura County Lesbian & Gay Pride Festival.
When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Mission Park in downtown Ventura, across from the San Buenaventura Mission.
Includes: Entertainment, food venders, community booths, crafts, art exhibits and children's games.
Cost: Free.
FYI: Leashed pets are allowed.
STORY TOOLS 
More from Local NewsOnce aimed at adults, Saturday's annual Lesbian & Gay Pride Festival in downtown Ventura will feature more children's activities at the increasingly family-oriented celebration.
An estimated 40,000 gays and lesbians live in Ventura County, and many newcomers are quietly settling into neighborhoods with a desire to start families or raise children, said Jay Smith, executive director of the festival's organizer, Ventura County Rainbow Alliance.
Saturday's free festival will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Mission Park on Main Street, across from the San Buenaventura Mission. There will be entertainment, food vendors, community booths, crafts, art exhibits and children's games.
As in years past, the event has no "hidden political agenda," Smith said. "It's about shedding a positive light on our diverse communities."
Carrie McAuliffe Liberatore is urging same-sex couples and gay and lesbian individuals who have adopted or taken in foster kids to show off their budding families. Like others, she's seen a slight increase in the number of gays and lesbians interested in becoming foster parents but still encounters those who think they will be turned away because of their sexual orientation.
"I think there are so many more gay and lesbian couples that don't realize it is a real possibility," said McAuliffe Liberatore, a foster parent mentor program coordinator for the Ventura-based Kids & Family Together, a nonprofit support organization.
An average of 700 to 800 foster youths in the county system, from infants to teenagers, need placement, she said. The greatest need is for foster families for medically fragile babies, teens and sibling groups.
California has no barriers to prevent same-sex couples or gay individuals from adopting or taking on foster kids, said Kris Bennett, district manager of the privately run Aspira Foster Family Services.
"We are looking for stable, well-adjusted couples that can provide a good home," she said. "We are not looking at what sexual orientation they are or what color they are. We don't discriminate."
Festival organizers are expecting more than 4,000 people Saturday, because of increased corporate sponsorship, radio spots and print marketing. Last year's event attracted about 2,500 — a mixed crowd of young and old, gay and straight was drawn to the event's family-friendly and open atmosphere, Smith said.
The alliance, founded in 1993 as the Life Enhancement Recovery Network, now gets more than 20,000 annual visits from lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered clients, as well as people affected by HIV or AIDS, seeking a variety of services.
The festival, like dozens held across the nation every summer, commemorates the Stonewall riots of June 1969 in New York City, where a group of activists rose up against police oppression and brutality involving gay patrons at a Greenwich Village bar.
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Posted by djh329 on August 24, 2007 at 11:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't think we should "encourage" this.
There are too many 12 year old kids who see this sort of thing, that now think they might be bi-sexual. This is rampart in our middle schools.
Posted by spudman on August 24, 2007 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Guess what, djh, gay people have exsisted as long as humans have.
Why don't we encourage tolerence?
Children shouldn't have to hide and feel ashamed of their parents. Who cares what the parents orientation is as long as they raise their children right? There's plenty of straight parents around here who are raising gang bangers.
Posted by surfmedic91 on August 24, 2007 at 3:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
At least the gang bangers have goals, children of gay parents just have good decorating sense.
Posted by mgnson83 on August 25, 2007 at 1:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
oh for the love of god... Surfmedic and djh329, are you both ignorant or just plain stupid? In this day and age you should really know better. I am a straight woman, and just because I see a gay couple does not make me question my sexuality. Kids are impressionable, but come on. The more you try to shelter your kids, the more likely they will find out the information on their own. So, if you teach them how to live peacefully in a society that excepts all people, no matter who they are, I think you've done your job as a parent. And as for you surfmedic, you are comparing apples and oranges. Gang bangers? The street scum, who rob, rape, and defame our city... They have goals? Are you so narrow minded that you actually believe that a child of a gay parent could not be anything else but a decorator? Children of gay parents are not raised gay. They are normal kids like everyone else. They are most likely well adjusted citizens because of that fact that they have to deal with stereotypes and bigoted people such as yourself, and still have the courage to not let it break their spirits.
Posted by lauren01 on August 25, 2007 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To the bigot that commented as follows:
"I don't think we should "encourage" this.
There are too many 12 year old kids who see this sort of thing, that now think they might be bi-sexual. This is rampart in our middle schools."
You seem to think "we" includes only those who think like you. Bigoted, that is. "We" the general population includes heteros, homos like me, etc. Now, I am not assuming you're hetero. You could possibly be a gay person who happens to think ill of the public behavior of other gay people. But more likely -- if I had to bet money -- I'd bet you're an uptight narrow thinker who has an easier time enumerating all the things you dislike rather than enjoy in this life.
Let go of your hateful drama. I believe "we" only go around once. Let goodness be #1, not worrying about normal teenage angst in middle school years. They think about sex and different sexualities early on because of media exposure and their own outspoken parents, not because of gay pride festivals that most don't know is going on.
Take a chill pill from me, your tolerant dyke neighbor in Midtown Ventura.
Lauren
Posted by sog55 on August 25, 2007 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
First of all in an attempt to not be censored let me say that anything I say is not directed with hate or the intention of hurting someone but we should all be allowed to express our point of view without being called a biggot or intolerant. The common attitude is that if you disagree with the homosexual lifestyle you are a biggot and there is no "tolerance" for that type of stance on the issue. The bottom line is it is unnatural. Thats a fact. Life cannot be created through a homosexual relationship. It is not what the creator designed.
Posted by spokenit on August 25, 2007 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Exactly sog55... BUT I really dont care how one chooses to live their life. I am entitled to my opinion as much as the gay community is. You dont however see me having to flaunt my sexuality in homo's. faces. I dont have blu/pink/blu/pink stickers on my car to let you know who I am. Do what you want but please dont ever think its natural to be together. Plug to Plug,,, socket to socket something is bound to exploded! It doesnt fit, wont work. Its for an emotional feeling and that is all. Do what you want, live however it you want. If you are so OK w/ how you feel then why so much hate when heteros. make comments? Be proud and dont let it bother you. Its as if these gay parade marches, gay pride gatherings really help anything. Its just your way of pushing your life styles on others. I personally dont care but you arent going to force it down my face as to make me change my mind. You dont see hetero pride gatherings.... because it is what it is natural and we dont have to prove points. Now dont hate because you cant procreate...
Posted by sog55 on August 25, 2007 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What bothers me as well is ..why would you want to involve children in a gay pride festival? Doesn't the festival celebrate homosexuality? Is that an appropriate venue for children? I'm not saying that it's overtly obscene or sexual acts are taking place...but how do they plan to incorporate children into the celebration of a lifestyle that has to do with one's sexual preference? It seem's very irresponsible. If you are homosexual you are homosexual do you need a festival to proclaim that? I agree ..a hetro pride festival would be silly as well.
Posted by spudman on August 26, 2007 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, DJH. Did you mean ...'rampant' in middle schools? The use of the word rampart' is incorrect in this sentence.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 26, 2007 at 5:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
surfmedic91 .ok ok I totally agree with that one !!!
mgnson83 ,I disagree......these kids are already lost with not having a stable home then some jerk puts them into a home with no moral or values. These kids will NOT turn out normal believe me ! I think any agency that places children in these homes should be shut down !!!!!!!
sog55,Again I agree ! And not once or twice but many many times it speaks in the Bible that it is WRONG !!!!!!!!!! UnGodly, Sinful !!!!! I don't hate the sinner I pray for the sin !!!!!!!
spokenit,Great comment,BUT you know that anyone that disagree's will be attacked. Me included ! But that is ok......... I have my morals and values in life....something that others (what the article is about) Dont have !!!!!
Again Like I said I dont hate the Sinner I hate the SIN !!!!!!!!!! But I know I will be attacked many times over for my opinion on this subject just like last year......its ok. Im one tough woman ! But I will be out of town for awhile so if you dont hear from me that is why!!!!!!!!!
Posted by GeekGrl on August 27, 2007 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
One important family value is giving children a good education, including reading comprehension, grammatical writing and critical thinking skills. I want to see children placed with people, with no regard to race, religion or sexual orientation, who are concerned with their proper education.
Posted by jeffinventura on August 29, 2007 at 2:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
AnnaWhaat -
How dare you question ANYONES moral values???
You have NO IDEA what the morality is of anyone else and your assumptions are incredibly arrogant and ignorant!
GOD BLESS!
Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 29, 2007 at 6 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well Jeff all I can say is I dont HATE you! I hate your actions. I will pray that you do read the BIBLE. Who knows it may change your life!!!!!!!!!
Posted by jeffinventura on August 29, 2007 at 7:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You do not know my actions!!!
You can not assume that you KNOW anything about me!!!!
I did not choose to be gay, but being gay does not automatically mean that I am sinning any more or less than ANYONE else!!!
You are arrogantly and ignorantly making assumptions about me and the gay community that you can not prove!!!!
I do read the bibe!!!...You again are making the assumption that I do not know or read the bible!!!
What gives you the right to make such WILD unfounded claims?????
Wake up and smell your hypocrisy!!! It stinks!!
GOD BLESS!
Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 30, 2007 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jeff, Your afraid to read the scriptures WJ gave you. Pretty much in detail. Yes I have sinned. And I ask forgiveness, and I try to never to it again. But to continue to do something that you know is a sin...........is wrong.
My claims are not wild. They come from the BIBLE. Something you claim to know about but really dont.
You may as well give it up! You are NOT going to suck me into believing your lifestyle is ok or that you were born that way. Its a cop out. Period.
Posted by jeffinventura on August 30, 2007 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You do not know my sins!!!
You do not know my ACTIONS!!!
Your claims that you know ANYTHING about me are WILD!!!
And your claims that I do not know about the bible are just bald faced lies!!!
I follow God and have Jesus in my heart!
I really doubt that you can make that claim and not be telling another lie!
GOD BLESS!
Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 30, 2007 at 12:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You POSTED Your sins !!!!!!
Your ACTIONS speak for themselves!
YOU HAVE NOT FOLLOWED GODS WORD !
YOUR ARE NOT LIVING BY THE BIBLE!
Hope before its to late since were in the last days you find the right way in life ! Ask forgiveness and get to Heaven.
Posted by jeffinventura on August 30, 2007 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have not posted ANYTHING about my sins....your making assumptions about things you know nothing about!!! You can not even assume that I have EVER committed a sexual sin of any kind....you have no knowledge of such sin being committed!!!
You do not know my actions!!!! Again, you are making assumptions based on ignorant stereotypes....but you have no first hand knowledge of ANY actions I have ever taken!!!
You do not know how I live!!!! Again, you are making an assumption with no proof of the things you accuse me of.....I am quite certain that I follow God's word to the letter. I would pit my morality up against yours any day!!!!
I AM living by the bible as I understand it my heart!!! There is no man that has the right to judge my relationship to God!!! Not even you!!!
I am more certain than ever that we follow two different God's. I am a gay Christian and I have the light of the Lord in my heart.
You have no place to call that into question!
GOD BLESS!
Posted by sog55 on August 31, 2007 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jeff your so far off it's not even funny! anna is not making assumptions based on ignorant stereotypes. you said yourself your gay! The bible you say you read say's that it is a sin to be a homosexual. To assume that sometime in your life you have committed a sexual sin is a safe assumption. Unless your saying your sinless? And also nobody can follow God's word to the letter! Unless ,again your saying you are sinless? Repentance will TRULY bring you into fellowship with the God of the bible.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 31, 2007 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Amen! Sogg!!!!!
You can lead a horse to water but you cant make him drink....... He refuses to read the scriptures. And has admitted his lifestyle. Yet denies it.?? One can commit robbery and ask for forgivness! And it will be given........yet if you continue to rob....then God does not look at your asking for forgiveness as being true. When you have sinned , you stop!! If you want forgiveness.
Posted by jeffinventura on September 3, 2007 at 5:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The bible does not mention ANYWHERE that it is a sin to be a gay person!!
Being gay DOES NOT mean I have committed any sexual sins of any kind!!!
You obsessive assumptions are ridiculous and incredibly ignorant!!!
You get offended when people call you ignorant, but there is no other word to describe someone like you who speaks without ANY knowledge!!!
GOD BLESS!
Posted by sog55 on September 6, 2007 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What bible are you reading ? Are you serious? What knowledge are you following? If you were willing to read scripture you would see it very clearly does. But you are not willing to. So I ask you what bible are you reading?
Posted by jeffinventura on September 6, 2007 at 10:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The bible is up for individual interpretation based on your faith and heart.
I am more than aware of the scriptures....I just know that I should follow God and not any man's interpretation of those words.
And I am honestly telling you that the bible does not mention anywhere that being a gay person in itself is a sin.
Sins are actions...being gay requires no actions.....being gay required no choice.
If I lied about being gay or presented it as a choice THAT would be a sin!
And you should know that I feel the lies you spread about the gay community are just as sinful as anything a gay person has done.
GOD BLESS!
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