Gay Pride 2010
This is the artist J. Bone’s rendition of the outfit I wore to last year’s Pride Parade in Albany, NY. I think I like his version of it better than the real thing (which veered intentionally close to Richard Simmons territory). Today my outfit is decidedly different – think equestrian soldier.
The Gay Pride celebration in Albany has grown quite impressive over the last few years, and this one may be the biggest yet. I’ve mentioned my occasional ambivalence towards the idea of gay pride, but when I’m surrounded by happy and hopeful people in support of equal rights, I also feel like I belong.
It’s not something that most gay people get to feel very often. We can be alienated and mistreated by our families and society, in ways both overt and subliminal. The world is overwhelmingly heterosexual, and the most simple and basic activities of life – going to work, eating at a restaurant, seeing a movie – can be isolating and depressing.
That’s why so many of us have to create our own families - out of our friends – where we know we will always belong, where we are no longer different. On this day, I am especially reminded of that.
Now, onto the parade and the party.
{Here’s the real-life version of last year’s outfit, because it’s not Gay Pride without a sequined head-band and short shorts.}
