And then the boys
Sunday was the big Pride Parade. I hadn't planned on going. As a matter of fact, I hadn't been planning on being anywhere near the area. At around noon though I called some friends to wish them a happy Pride and they reminded me of another friend's brunch I had planned to attend. I had completely forgotten about it too drunk at the time of the invite to have remembered but really wanted to go. Hence, I grabbed a cab and was at the brunch [which was fab-u-lous] a short time later.
A few sangrias in to it and I was off to view the parade with the two friends I had originally called. We stood right near the end of the parade route. There wasn't the same sense of festivity and community as near the end of the parade route, but we had great views and more importantly - shade.
The parade opening was the most powerful I've ever seen: they had people dressed completely in black with black hoods, each carrying a sign which listed a country where people can be executed for being gay. It was very powerful and brought home just how much work still needs to be done. Not that there isn't homophobia in Canada, but at least officially there are gay rights. Indeed the couple I attended with got married last October.
The rest of the parade was quite festive. As we were near the end of the route, the crowd wasn't as involved. My friends and I tried to make up for it. I screamed until I got light-headed and thought I was going to pass out.
There was only one group in the parade that I still don't get: people against Israeli apartheid. I'm not saying anything about the cause itself, but what the fuck does that have to do with gay pride? Is Palestine supportive of gay rights? I ask that in all seriousness. I thought it was the reverse so the presence of the group pissed me off. I mean, I'm pro-Cuba and the American blockade drives me mental, but I wouldn't bring that protest to this parade (especially because as far as I know Cuba doesn't officially recognize gay rights and I believe can jail people for being gay).
Apart from that though, it was another day of tons of sun and alcohol. My friends continued partying after, but I went home to crash. I did love the crush of people on Church Street though. I know that crowds are dangerous, but how delicious to be sandwiched between so many half-naked sweaty people in broad daylight, out for a good time.
13 comments:
Ah Pride...We missed it this year, sunning ourselves on a beach.
You know, somehow when I visit folks during the summer, I seem to always hit pride weekend. It's happened in Montreal, Boston, Atlanta and Washington DC.
Of course here,there is no pride weekend, no pride parade, nothing.
Hmm...
I appreciate the sentiment of the whole Israeli apartheid thing, but I agree with you, I don't get the connection to pride. Perhaps it's only to try expose it to a large, potentially sympathetic audience?
Dip me in chocolate and throw me to the lesbians, I say.
This is the third successive comment I've made tonight, where the word varification has been SMENITA.
Wos goin' on?
totally weird protest. wsup with that? i think dantallion is right. they just wanted exposure.
publicity whores
CD: I was at Pride but felt like I was there with you and the missus as well when I received a wonderful postcard from you. It was a nice surprise!
Rebekah: Did you go to all the parades?
Dantallion: I think the whole wanting a larger audience was key and I suppose the group thought it was the perfect parade for highlighting human rights abuses, but then there should have been something about Darfur, etc. too.
Tickers: Oh no! The last time smenita appeared Blogger crashed. And I'll get on the chocolate and lesbian party for you.
jkg: Yeah. Maybe some people were inspired but for me it detracted from the cause.
Sounds like a ball! One of these years I'll make it down for pride in your town.
-closed my curtains & apartment door on the Friday evening
-didn't open them 'till Monday morning
I am not proud of this. It was a coping strategy, pure & simple.
Torn: But I thought you didn't like parades?
MR: I've felt that way and done that about New Years Eve before
I need to see more parades. I saw a motorcycle parade in DC a couple of weeks ago, and it was nice. I can only imagine how awesome the gay pride one would be
I've never been to a Pride Parade, but not liking crowds would be a factor in that.
No one told me about "sandwiched between so many half-naked sweaty people", though!!!
WV is: jjvvrye - Thank goodness smenita's over with for another year...
FM: I couldn't watch a motorcycle parade as it would lead me to inappropriate public displays of affection... with myself. come on up to T.O for Pride week-end next year!
IDV: Yes, and most were attractive this year.
Thank goodness the smenita plague has passed.
Ou est Snooze?
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