A Open Letter


From

Grandfather Star

Founder of Mass Pagan Pride & Awareness Day



Why The Stink?

I have been involved with The Pagan Pride Project since it began in 1998.

It was meant to be a Grassroots movement with a Cooperative Relationship from State to State.

It has now turned into IPPP which rules the various State PPD's via a "Board of Directors" none of whom even live in Massachusetts!

When We began PPD throughout this Country it was agreed that an Official PPD Event was; Held on Public Land, Admission must be FREE and that it include a Food Drive & Public Ritual.

Now some PPD Events are charging money for Admission though not here in Massachusetts, YET. This despite the "Board of Directors of IPPP voting that what constitutes an "Official PPD" is that it be "On Public Land, Admission must be FREE and that it include a Food Drive". I know I was one of the strongest voices for this vote.

But like the constant changing of the minds Board of Directors that IPPP is run by, in a matter of months that has changed again!

Lets go on to a bit more history regarding Pagan Pride: PPD was envisioned by Cec Brightsword as a Grassroots Movement meaning each state agreed to hold a PPD Event based on the above standards Free, Public Land, Food Drive, and a Public Ritual. However each state would be Autonomous

PPD was strongly structured around the Original Gay Pride Day Movement. That is where Cec got her idea (btw I still have the original article that got me started with PPD in Circle Magazine). Clearly Cec wanted PPD fashioned like Gay Pride Day except for Pagans.

Can I tell you what happened to the grassroots movement known as Gay Pride Day? It is now controlled by Corporate Sponsors who DECIDE what will and what will NOT be represented. Who can have a "Float" who can't etc etc. As an openly gay man who has for many years been involved with Gay Pride Day from a time when folks watched by throwing stones at us to see where it has gone today is a SHAME! The reason this happened is state after state gave up control to outside groups promising BIG MONEY from Corporate Sponsors, We Sold Out! And today "They" decide what will and will not be done with our Parade. I use to never miss this event, use to close my business down for a "Holiday" on Gay Pride Boston Day. Now I work right through it without giving it a second thought, it no longer represents me or my views!

I will not see Mass PPD, something I worked 3 1/2 years of my life on, turn into a controlled from outside the State Event that slowly but surely becomes less about our freedom and more about Who is Who and who has the most money Decides. Especially given that it is me and me alone that "sold this Bill of Goods called Mass PPD" to this Community in the first place!

The National Board of Directors have proven to me these many years that they are NOT to be trusted, they change their minds and their "by-laws" to suit the moment. Where does all that end? And at what cost?

It is about protecting the Integrity of the Vision I started here.

Lets talk about money, etc...for 3 1/2 going on 4 years Mass PPD has NOT been able to open a legal bank account, instead money and receipts are kept in envelopes and hopefully it all adds up. We are seeking Donations here from Vendors etc. And the National Board would have us act in this "Illegal Way" for YET another 3 years saying We in Massachusetts must be patient...Patient?????? Until when, a Bunch of us are arrested or dragged in to a Federal Court by the IRS Criminal Investigation Dept? From this day forward ALL Members of The Massachusetts Pagan Pride & Awareness Day will Be Protected!

Doubt anything I have said regarding Raising Donations without being Incorporated as Non-Profit? Please call Mass D.O.R. or The IRS and ask.

Bright Blessings

Grandfather Star


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