What happens when you combine drag queens and saving the environment?  You get the most fabulous take on green issues since Madonna graced the cover of the green 2008 Vanity Fair!  Recently, we were invited to attend Green with Pride, which was part of the annual LA Pride Festival.  Every year, West Hollywood goes big with gay pride during a three day festival and parade.  And this year, they had a section of the festival devoted exclusively to green issues.

Making my way towards the Pride Festival, I was struck with two thoughts: "Man, there is a ton of trash on the street", and "Wow, marching in glittery platform boots has got to be painful."  As with any parade or festival, there is a tremendous amount of waste.  Between the trash that is tossed onto the street, the dashed plastic cups of the revelers, and the smokers using the world as their own giant ash tray, it isn’t pretty.  (I literally watched one member of the press throw his still-smoking cigarette into a decorative plant.)  So when I finally found the Green with Pride section, it felt like an eco-oasis in a brown desert. 

And what exactly is Green with Pride?  It is the brainchild of Joe Keenan and Ron Roecker, owners of New Avenue Marketing.  As Joe walked me through the tables of green products, he told me that Green Pride is all about bringing the green movement to the gay audience.  According to Joe, “It’s really an event within an event idea.  Green Expos are sometimes preaching to the choir.  But here, we’re taking the green cause into an unexpected area and reaching a larger audience.”  

And what ideas were the good guys of Green Pride bringing to the masses?  Just some of the coolest eco products this side of Santa Monica!  There was an adorable line of reusable grocery bags from June Fifteen.  These bags are large, lined, and will decrease those cash registry head slap moments when you realize you left your bags in the car – again. 

Lavera Natural Cosmetics of the natural skin care and make up line was there, as was non-toxic Method home care products.  I met the creators of Clear 2 Go, a new water bottle with a portable filter, and I sniffed the cool scents of Caterpillar Creations, 100% all-natural vegetable soy wax candles.  

There was a booth showcasing the SunCache solar water heating systems for homes.   Diva Deborah Cox spoke to attendees.  And even Global Green was there, explaining how they work for green public policy, legislation, and urbanism.   (This was politely explained to me after I insisted on learning exactly what Global Green does – besides throwing the biggest green party in Hollywood once a year.) 

And best of all?  The tables were covered with organic cotton, the banners were made with water-based inks, and the entire event was set up with carbon offsets from Carbon Fund.   All of this was set up next to neighboring Prop 8 booths, AIDS awareness, and other issues pertaining to the gay community.  As Joe informed me, “The gay community needs to remember there are other issues to work for.  This is a real opportunity to take the lead here in the green movement.”  And judging by the flocks of people gathering to sample Method products and learning how to filter water right in the bottle, I would say they did just that!