Event this year?
Hello everyone. I hope there are still a few people watching this group; sorry for the overly long hiatus.

There's been some interest in having a kite-flying this year, and I think we can make it happen.

So, I'd like to gauge interest. I'm thinking early April instead of during the summer. Anyone interested?

(2 Comments |Comment on this)

Should have announced this a long time ago...
I'm sorry to say, there will not be a formal kite-flying this year. My schedule precludes the kind of effort which was necessary to promote and arrange an event, and I do not seeing that changing anytime soon.

This does not mean that there cannot be smaller events, which could be planned in advance or done spontaneously. And, of course, there's nothing keeping anyone else from organizing such activities; I don't believe for a moment that I "own" the idea, and I encourage everyone else to do whatever you can to promote equality.

(1 Comment |Comment on this)

Success!
We had a great time, and quite a few people came out. Weather-wise, this was clearly a learning experience. It was... hot. Really, really hot. Moreover, we had a really hard time getting kites in the air, because the wind was terribly problematic. I'll admit I'd never before noticed the flags by the Washington Monument all flying in different directions before...


Still, we had a lot of people show up, and had no few kites in the air. So....


Thank you to everyone who came out yesterday!

I'd like to give special thanks to:
tlttlotd for his help in organizing this event, and especially in hosting files (like the map)
stardansr for taking care of the posting to various Yahoo groups, as well as several of the LJ groups.
kitten_goddess for helping put up fliers in DuPont Circle.
barroomeyes for putting up fliers in Dupont Circle on her own.
and potpourrifae for putting fliers up in Tacoma Park.



Now, there's no sense in letting this group languish until next year; it has been put forward that we could have regular or semi-regular social meetups. What are your thoughts?

(3 Comments |Comment on this)

An 11th hour question
I know this is kinda last minute, but something just occurred to me.

We're bound to attract a lot of attention.

What are we going to say when bystanders ask what we're doing?

My original concept was basically to make people think - that they'll have to engage a few brain cells to realize we're pro-queer, and it might, just maybe, click that we're basically normal people who happen to be queer. That we're not just issues and sound bites, and we deserve to be treated like real people.

That's what I was thinking. How about you?

(5 Comments |Comment on this)

Last reminder for GBLT Kite
Hey everyone!
This is the last reminder for the GBLT Kite-flying event this weekend!

We'll be at the Northwest corner of the Washington Monument grounds starting at 1:00 pm and continuing until 4:00 pm tomorrow, Saturday August 4th.

If you don't have a kite yet, I've got a handful left to give out, but your best bet would be to go to Lambda Rising in Dupont Circle and buy one there.


Be sure to check out this handy post with all the details you'll need

Any more questions? Email me at gbltkite@gmail.com!

(Comment on this)

Things you shuld know in coming to the event this Saturday
Here's all the practical stuff you need to know for the event this weekend. It's mostly common sense, but read it through anyway - there's always something you'll forget. Plus there's a map showing where we'll be meeting.

Time

We are scheduled for 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Saturday, August 4th. This means that we will get the kites in the air by 1:30, and we are obligated to disperse by 4:00.

We have and alternate date of August 18th. If it becomes necessary to use the alternate date, I will post here.


Place

Our permit gives us the Northwest Corner of the Washington Monument Grounds.

Here's a map - our area is circled in red.


Rules

To keep the very National Park Service happy, and generally be good citizens, there are a few rules we need to follow:

1) Keep sidewalks and roads clear.

2) No merchandise or sales will be permitted.

3) Pick up all trash; the area is to be left in the same condition as when we started.

4) No glass-string kites

5) No kite-flying on or near the plaza area (circle of flags)

6) Do not allow kites to become tangles in trees, flag poles, or power lines (please! They'll charge me for it!)

7) No balloons or glass containers.


That's it, really. Don't block the roads, don't sell anything, pick up our trash, and watch where the kites go.



Health and Safety

Now, I was out flying a kite on the mall last weekend. It was very hot, and very sunny. This weekend will be even moreso. I strongly recommend everyone bring bottled water and sunblock. As our gathering is relatively small, there will not be a first aid tent, and there will not be water provided. So please bring plenty of water; I'd really hate for anyone to get heatstroke.


Me

If you'd like to be able to recognize me when you get there, I'm a medium-height guy with long brown hair. I'll be wearing a red t-shirt and jean shorts. I'll be flying a very large rainbow diamond kite.

(Comment on this)

Giving away kites
So, I'm sure you're all wondering how it went this weekend, trying to give away kites.

Unfortunately, not very many people were able to show up. The plus to this is, I've still got quite a few kites to give away.

So - if you want a free kite, and can be at the actual kite-flying event next weekend, respond here. We'll need to figure out a time this week to meet up prior to the event - or I could bring the extra kites to the event itself, but I'm going with first come, first serve.


Once again - if you want one of the free kites, reply here.

(13 Comments |Comment on this)

About the kite giveaway
Okay, here's how it goes:

From 2 pm to 4 pm tomorrow (Saturday July 28th), I'll be on the mall near the Smithsonian metro exit flying a kite. The first 20 people to show up will each get a rainbow kite. There are only two requirements: 1) You take 20 flyers to distribute and 2) you agree to show up on August 4th to fly the kite.

Mind, when I say distribute I don't mean you have to stand at the top of the metro and hand out flyers - in fact, I think that would be a pretty bad idea. But put them up as signs, or leave them on bulletin boards; anything to get the word out.

Those who don't know how to fly a kite, I'll do my best to teach you. Well, weather permitting.

So, I'll be the guy near the Smithsonian stop flying a really big diamond rainbow kite. See you tomorrow afternoon!

(4 Comments |Comment on this)

Three pieces of news
First of all,

We've been approved for a public gathering permit!

It was really quite funny - I had to get a call from the Park Service; the fellow who was handling the application was confused because the application was too simple, straightforward, and undemanding.

Anyway, we have the NorthWest Corner of the Washington Monument ground on August 4th from 1 pm until 4:00 pm, for 50-100 people. I'll scan in and post the map by this weekend in case there's any confusion.

There are, of course, a few rules. We cannot be handling food, and water must be bottled. No kites with glass strings, No fees or sales, and we need to pick up our trash. Pretty basic stuff.


Second, the kites have arrived!.

All 20 kites came this past weekend, so this coming weekend I'll be down at the mall and give them out in exchange for you guys putting out flyers. I got the nice $10 ones, not the $5 pocket flyers, so it's a really great deal.


Which means See you this Saturday!.

I'll be down at the mall from 2:00-4:00, or until I run out of kites. I'll help anyone who doesn't know how to fly a kite learn, but bear in mind this is NOT the main event - that's the weekend after next. Come if you want a free kite and you're willing to lend a hand. I'll be a flying a really big rainbow kite and hauling 20 smaller kites. Should be pretty hard to miss me.




This is the final push, everyone. The more people who can get involved, the better off we'll be. Will I see you?

(20 Comments |Comment on this)

Kites!
I've just ordered 20 rainbow kites, to be distributed the weekend after next; all I ask is that anyone who takes a kite distribute some flyers, and of course attend the event itself.

(Comment on this)

Just a little update for you guys
The permit application has been sent in; I've requested August 4th, with the 11th as an alternate date. I told them that 100 people are expected - granted I'd far rather be hilariously wrong and have well more than that.


Also, today kitten_goddess and I put up some signs and distirbuted flyers in DuPont circle - thank you, kitten_goddess!
We did cut it a bit short, by virtue of it being hot enough to melt a brass doorknob.


Would anyone be free next Sunday to distribute more flyers and signs? I'd be glad to print them and meet with people, but there's only so much ground I can cover on my own.


Also, I've a notion - I'm goign to buy 20 kites, and the last weekend in July I wish to meet on the mall. The first 20 people will get a kite in exchange for putting up or distributing 20 flyers. Sound good?

(2 Comments |Comment on this)

One more application question
I've mentioned once or twice the possibility of having an alternate date - after all, it's possible the 4th may prove to be a windless day, or rainy.


Fortunately, it's possible to set an alternate date on the permit application.

We could go for the next weekend, on August 11th.

Or we might wait another week or two, for the 18th or 25th, in the theory that we'll need a bit more time for the weather to clear up.

I'm reluctant to get as far as September, as that'll conflict with Labor day, or start risking fall weather.


Any thoughts?

(3 Comments |Comment on this)

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
As the date approaches, we really need to be advertising more.

I see three practical ways for us to advertise right now:


1) More online postings. I'm going to make another round on LJ communities; I don't want to spam but a reminder or two won't kill anyone.

2) Placing flyers in various stores. In my last post on this subject, tlttlotd suggested a few places. Let's think of some more. This weekend, there's going to be an expedition to Dupont Circle. If anyone could do the same for shops in College Park, that'd be great. Anywhere that would be sympathetic, let's give it a go.

3) Put up signs on various lightposts and the like. Kicker here is, I'm not sure what laws apply. Telephone poles belong to the phone companies, and as such signs are technically verboten; granted they tend to turn a blind eye to the matter. Does anyone know more about what is and isn't allowed for sign posting?

4) Get in contact with local GBLT groups. Unfortunately, I'm not a member of any and don't have any contacts. Is there anyone here who is, that would be willing to present to any such groups?

5) Get your friends involved. Remember to tell others, convince them to join up.


Remember, we have a flyer. Print out as many copies as you need!


I encourage everyone to at least do the fifth. I ask for help with the other four; this is something I can't take care of on my own, and we certainly won't suffer for having more help.

(2 Comments |Comment on this)

Numbers, I need numbers!
Happy independence day, everyone.

Now let's keep up with what those crazy rebels that founded our country were after and assert our rights.


I'm about to turn in the permit application; looks like August 4th remains perfectly clear for us.

There are two things I need feedback on before I turn it in. First off, I need to make a guess about the number of people who will be showing up. To that end reply to this post. The number of unique responses will help me guess a reasonable minimum number.

The second part is a touch more complicated - times. I'm thinking the event will start at 1:00 in the afternoon. It'll take us about half an hour to organize, so by 1:30 we should have kites in the air. Then, by 3:00 we should be ready to disperse.
Now, I've never done this before. Is half an hour long enough to organize? 1.5 hours enough time to have the kites up? In your reply, say what you think.


Thanks!

(7 Comments |Comment on this)

A crucial detail...
Happy (slightly belated) Summer Solstice to everyone.


July is coming up fast, which means the kite-flying is only a bit over a month away. It's time to think about getting kites.

Amazon has one for $10. I've seen a few places for a bit cheaper, but so far Amazon seems to be the cheapest trustworthy source. Does anyone know of any better?




Also, I know that quite a few people on this list don't know how to fly a kite, or (like me) haven't flown kites for a very long time. So, would anyone like to have an informal meet-up to learn again?

(6 Comments |Comment on this)

Advertising - the flyer
Now that we have a flyer, we need to be posting it.

So, the question is - where?

I'd like to open up the floor. Where do you think we should be advertising?

Name any stores you think would let us put them out. Any locales. Heck, any other advertising media. The more people we can get involved, the better.

(1 Comment |Comment on this)

Flyer made
Hey everyone. Sorry it's been a little while since I last posted to this group.

The other day, tlttlotd, lyssabard,stardansr and I put together a flyer that we're going to hand out at a couple of queer-friendly events.

You can download it as a PDF (Yes, you'll need Adobe Acrobat reader or equivalent to view it). POst here to say what you think of it.

Feel free to print it out and distribute it, too!

(2 Comments |Comment on this)

hasufin has put together a preliminary flyer for Kite Flying Day 2007. You can download it from here.

(4 Comments |Comment on this)

In need of someone with graphical design skills.
As I've said a few times so far, and will continue repeating, the more people we can get involved, the more successful we will be. Word of mouth and LiveJournals are nice, but we need to expand beyond that. There are a few events and locations at which I think we may be able to hand out flyers; I've already gained confirmation for one such. I would like to put up posters at few places as well.

One major kicker with this is, I have no particular skill with graphical design. What creative ability I have is to be found in other talents, and I couldn't make a compelling poster, pamphlet, or flyer to save my life.

But I'm pretty sure there's someone here - likely several someones, in fact - who are good with that sort of work. Would anyone be willing to offer their services in making such advertisements?




On a separate note, I'd like to remind everyone that this Monday is Memorial Day.

As Dickens said, of one who laid down his life for another: It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known.

There is no greater sacrifice an individual can offer than their own life. Every day, tens of thousands of men and women in our armed forces offer their own lives, that others need not. Whatever your politics, I encourage everyone reading this to remember that Memorial Day isn't just a three-day weekend, and honor those who have fallen in service to our country.

(2 Comments |Comment on this)

A very important question
Once again, thanks to everyone who has joined this community.

Now that we've got a decent-sized community*, it's time to think about times. Or at least, dates. When do we want to fly our kites?


My thoughts are thus:


1) No earlier than August. While theoretically possible to make it happen earlier, I don't think we'd have enough time to get the paperwork together, nor gather enough interest.

2) No later than the end of September. I don't think we could be confident of the weather in October; I'm even a touch dubious about late September.

3) Going to have to be a weekend. Many of us have day jobs, or classes, or other concerns. Weekends will allow us to get the most people out.

4) Shouldn't coincide with any other major draw. That would make it hard to be noticed, and possibly hard to get a permit.




So, with those requirements in mind, I'm tentatively proposing the afternoon of August 4th. How does that sound to you?






* but we could always have more! Tell your friends!

(2 Comments |Comment on this)