Buffalo Niagara Pagan Pride Day
As many of you have noticed (and some have inquired), there is no PPD event scheduled again for this year. I have tried 3 years in a row to get an event going and failed each time due to a lack of time. I had thought with running a Pagan store that I would be able to have the time necessary to organize the event and I was wrong. I know I have let this community down with this and I offer my sincerest apologies. As a result, I have decided that I have no choice but to resign as the Local Coordinator for PPD.
About BNPPP
As you may have noticed our name has changed slightly. Due to an organizational change at the national level, we have made a few changes ourselves. The first being our name - we are now officially Buffalo Niagara Pagan Pride Project or BNPPP; our event is still Buffalo Niagara Pagan Pride Day and the now familiar acronym BNPPD. We also have adopted new Bylaws and will soon be a charitable organization as defined by section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service Code as an officially recognized chapter of the Pagan Pride Project, Inc.
Buffalo Niagara Pagan Pride Day is an annual event organized by committee members under the Pagan Pride Project. The Pagan Pride Project is an international organization dedicated to lifting the prejudice against pagans, devoted to fostering community and awareness through education, activism and charity while promoting diversity.
The Buffalo Niagara Pagan Pride Project committee is formed to represent the Buffalo Niagara Pagan Community. The event itself is held by Pagan's for non-Pagan's. It's goal is to help educate those who are willing, about the truth of Paganism, Wicca, Witchcraft, and other Alternative Religions. The main focus of the event as put forth by the Pagan Pride Project is charity and education. We are required by national guidelines to meet the minimum requirements:
1. Public ritual:
A public gathering where Pagans can network with each other and celebrate an
Autumn Equinox ritual.
2. Food drive:
A food drive or other charitable activity, to share our abundant harvest with
others in need, and to make a clear statement to those who have misconceptions
about Paganism. We know that our ethics, based on concern for ecology, personal
responsibility, and individual freedom, mean that we feel strongly called to
actions of social responsibility. It is important for us to highlight our
similarity to other religions in that regard.
3. Press releases:
Press releases and media coverage of our events in order to present the truth
about Paganism to our communities, refute common misconceptions, and draw
political attention to Paganism in order to try to prevent legislative
discrimination against Pagans.
Other possible
activities:
Along with these three primary activities, many areas have chosen to add other
events and make the gathering a full festival, with merchant booths, music,
book-signings, workshops, and other activities.
Buffalo Niagara Pagan Pride Project began with our first event in 2003, a small committee planned an event for 50 people and received a shock - attendance was over 200 the first year. Over the years the committee has changed, the venue has changed, and attendance has changed. We are now looking to hold our 6th event in 2009 after taking a hiatus in 2008.