User:BodyPride/Body Pride Ride

In 2005, inspired by the World Naked Bike Ride and Solstice Cyclists, the first Body Pride Ride (BPR) was conceived.

The goal was to address the growing problem of body shame in the gay community. Intense media pressure, formerly mostly directed toward women, is now powerfully directed toward men as well. Ads for laser hair removal, all the way up to pectoral implants, are now common.

It continues as an annual bare-what-you-dare cycling tour of Seattle, followed with being part of the gay pride march/parade.

Goals

 * To raise awareness of body image and body shame issues
 * To exercise and fight to keep the right to be naked in public
 * To network with all local cycling groups, building community
 * Slogan/Call: "Pride for Every Body" "Nude is not Lewd"

Media Coverage

 * 2005 - Biking Bis - March 13 2006 - "...the first annual Body Pride Ride..."
 * 2005 - Seattle Gay News - July 1 2005 - Volume 33 Issue 26 Page 13
 * 2006 - Bicycle Paper - June 2006 (via archive.org accessed 2018.06.20)
 * 2007 - Biking Bis March 30 and June 10 (accessed 2018.06.20)
 * 2008 - The Stranger "Chief Kerlikowske on Naked Bike Riders" - June 20 2008
 * 2015 - The Stranger SLOG - June 29 2015

History
In 2005, the riders were entry #186 in the Pride March in Capitol Hill on Broadway. This event was organized by Seattle Pride Committee (SPC) (today known as SOAP, LLC). Body Pride Ride was the second to last entry in the march, cycled in formations and offered up the now famous "park and ride" photo opportunity (idea borrowed from Fremont Cyclist Drill Team). The crowds cheered, laughed, and took many photos. There were NO complaints made to the police (ref: public disclosure requests) nor to the organizers.

In 2006, Body Pride Ride cycled about 5 miles and then were welcomed to be in the "Raise Your Voice March" on Broadway, organized by the LGBT Community Center ("The Center"). In 2006, Seattle Out and Proud (SOAP), LLC, produced their Pride Parade in downtown. Their guidelines expressly stated that nudity would not be tolerated and would result in being removed from the parade. Although, the exact same persons were in charge of the parade as in 2005, the change in position was not explained. SOAP continues to equate "nudity" and "lewd behavior" and prohibits such as stated within the parade guidelines.

In 2007, Seattle's pride events (June 23/24) are just now (May 4th) being finalized. There will be a "Raise Your Voice March" held on Saturday in Capitol Hill beginning at 11am. The Dyke March will be at 7pm in Capitol Hill. QueerFest will be held in Volunteer Park on Saturday. There will be a Pride Parade in downtown on Sunday from 11am to 2pm. An event called "PrideFest" will be held at Seattle Center on Sunday.

Body Pride Ride completed the application to be in the Pride Parade on Sunday. The final line up will be decided by SOAP, LLC volunteers based on some unclear criteria ("best" potential entry).

An application to be included in the "Raise Your Voice March" on Saturday, June 23rd, has been submitted as well.