Gay Pride Parade, Washington, DC, June 9th
Okay, so I'm behind in posting these.
The Miss Whoever Drag Queen folks, I got. Gays in Cages - I'm clueless.
These photos are only so-so - my DC friends were supposed to send me the good ones (these were taken with a 3-pixel camera phone - lol - the others with a good digi camera).
I remember the beach people with their swimsuits and beachballs and other stuff. Didn't get a shot with my camera of the cowboys - male strippers - but hopefully Mike will send those to me.
The Leather Daddies & Mommas - I get those.
There was a kewl float by Work In Progress, construction workers (both male and female) - those shots are on the digi.
Anyway, maybe these will at least give you an inkling of some of what we saw that day.
posted by Bobbie (Sunny) Cole @ 3:54 PM
6 comments
6 Comments:
Eek! And they want us to take them seriously?
I mean, when I see a circus come to town, I certainly don't think serious intellectual things.
Why do they perpetuate the sterotype?
A parade is one thing, but flaunting deviant dress codes is another.
Even the Mummers have a classy flair and I'd call their dress weird.
many of them say that being gay is NOT about the sex, but you couldn't prove it by some of the floats.
it was Mardi Gras - it was...very much a party atmosphere, a celebratory thing that encompassed a zillion and one slice of life moments that make up their lives.
when I look at it from a celebration standpoint, I get it. when I look at it from the Halloween, Mardi Gras, 'look at me, I'm gay' perspective, I think well ya could have done this at home with less hassle.
all that said...
there were politicians who wanted the gay vote who walked the streets or rode in cars, ones who were obviously proud to defend and protect the rights of everyone...
speaking of which, there were the gay police officers, male and female, in full dress, walking solemnly behind a party-goers' float.
it was pretty amazing. what lifted my spirits was that all those who fought for fair work wages, the ability to love who they wanted, whatever it was from women's rights to gay rights to equal pay...the ambiance was there, the spirit of accomplishment, the implied knowledge that freedom comes at a price, and many before us fought the fight. leaving...us. whether we have been deprived of rights or not...it's up to us what to do with what we know.
That's great, Lyn that you were able to experience the heart of the parade beyond the theatrics.
I may have come across as being a bit straitlaced and narrow. I don't like it when the ones that dress and act over the top draw attention like a black hole and opinions get based on them alone.
It helps those who are looking for excuses to justify their nontolerant stances.
I read the blog of a man who is gay and he is an absolutely wonderful, funny and inspiring person. He doesn't have to do the zany things to get attention. He's just himself and having him explain certain things to me and sharing certain aspects of his life with me has given me a greater appreciate for what they have to struggle against.
I just think that perpetuating a small stereotype harms the majority. It's not fair. They deserve better than they're getting. They ARE people too, in every way.
Thanks for expanding on something that the pictures could never have conveyed.
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I keep screwing up here - what I'd said, Michele, was that I thought your questions and comments right on target! I agree - if all the straights see are the overt, the frivolous, etc, then that is what colors their perceptions!
I'm leaving this comment - and if it screws up again, oh well - lol. ack - I am so not technically inclined at times. Blame it on ME instead of Blogger. *sheepish grin*
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