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Across the board, over the boundaries of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, Greater Palm Springs Pride seeks to bridge the gap, by encouraging tolerance and understanding. As the weekend folds into history, how do we know whether or not, after all is said and done, that our Pride event has been a success?

I suppose there are any number of yardsticks by which to measure its merits: number of festival revelers, amount of money generated through fund-raising efforts, number of vendors in attendance, etc. These are some ways that we can assign worth to our efforts. Obviously, fiscal responsibility, budgeting, and the ever important bottom line, are necessary points of concern, and are absolutely instrumental in moving the planning process along the continuum from point A to point B.

With the above being "a given," we must now turn our attention to what is really important, and what is the true measure of success: Taking part. The intrinsic value that we obtain as a result of being an active participant in this celebration of community is priceless. Inclusiveness and acceptance are the real gifts that we give to one another when we participate. Through our participation, we share a part of ourselves.

Continues...