Like many of my brethren, I am a compulsive decorator. That being said it should come as no surprise that Trading Spaces is one of my favourite TV shows. For those of you who live without access to television, magazines or electricity in your cozy grotto under a large rock, the program involves two sets of neighbours renovating one room in each other’s homes.

The teams are helped by a professional designer and are given a strict budget and a scant two days to complete their task. Each episode follows a comfortably predictable storyline of domestic decorating drama: meeting the designers, listening to their concepts, doing the actual work, and the final reveal when the expectant homeowners get to see what a difference a weekend can make.

No one would dispute the fact that this year, Pride could use a little sprucing up. The past few months have been rather trying and the strain is starting to show. So, in honour of Pride’s 25th anniversary, my fellow board members and I have decided to try a little reno work of our own. We are following in the footsteps of Trading Spaces cast members Vern, Genevieve and Tye. (Truth be told, I want to do much more with Tye than follow in his footsteps, but that’s a story for another time.) We would like to welcome you to Trading Spaces, the Vancouver Pride Edition.

On Mar 2, many of you had an opportunity to meet the members of the Vancouver Pride Board on the occasion of our board launch. They are a dedicated team of men and women who have promised to bring you an unforgettable Pride this year. If by chance you were not at the Fountainhead Pub that day, then why not stop by St John’s United Church, at 1401 Comox St on Apr 24? The Vancouver Pride Society will be holding a special general meeting at 7 pm to present the financial statements from 2002 and the proposed budget for Pride 25.

We are also looking to fill four vacant positions on the board and want the community’s input on a wide variety of issues. Consider this your opportunity to “meet the designers” and maybe become one yourself. Any VPS member in good standing is entitled to vote and/or be nominated to the board of directors. Of course, memberships will be available at the door.

After the “meet the designers” segment, the Trading Spaces camera zooms in on a portentous paint can. The colour under that lid will form the canvas on which the entire transformation will be predicated. This year, the Pride board has endeavoured to find a theme that would reach into the past while looking to the future of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community. We wanted to acknowledge the strong foundations of Pride in this city. We also wanted to capture the aspirations of our community for a future free of hatred, violence and discrimination. We have come so far and yet still have so very far to go. In keeping with the spirit of these ideas, we have chosen as this year’s theme: Pride 25, Building Pride

As it is on Trading Spaces, it is now that the work really begins. We have but a few short months to work together and create something befitting a silver anniversary. There will be those who volunteer for the VPS, those who build floats in dimly lit parking lots until the wee hours of the morning, and those who will simply show up at Pride Society events to show their support. Every little bit will help. We will have our team, our ideas, and a workable budget. Let’s get to work Building Pride together and reveal to this city what a difference a weekend can make!

The Vancouver Pride Society would like to recognize the members of our community who have contributed so generously to the Pride Society in the last few weeks, most notably the Langara Student Union and the Dogwood Monarchist Society. Your commitment to Pride is an inspiration. We thank you.

*Steven Schelling is the media relations director for the Vancouver Pride Society.

VANCOUVER PRIDE SOCIETY.

Special General Meeting.

Thu Apr 24, 7 pm.

St John’s United Church.

1401 Comox St.