We saw two protesters along the way holding signs telling us how much God hates gays, etc. Boo Hoo. […] It always seems to me that these sorts of people are so very unhappy. Whenever I see hate groups protesting gay issues or such things, I’m always struck by how miserable and unhappy they seem. While, in contrast, most gay people are perfectly happy with much of their lives and a day like today is all about joy and happiness and inclusiveness.
I like that.
Hope the rest of you New Yorkers had a good Pride day. We watched the parade from the shady front steps of our building on 8th Street, joined by Mike, our friend Dan, and some others. I saw MAK ride by on a float and Steven helping lead off the parade with a big mess of rainbow balloons.
It’s weird how my experience of the Pride parade has changed since I attended my first one in 2001. Actually, I marched in that first one, with 20something.
The next year I watched with some UVA alums.
In 2003 I met up with a friend/quasi-romantic interest of mine.
In 2004 I watched it with Matt, and someone marching with God’s Love We Deliver left the march and ran up to us because he recognized us from our blogs.
Since 2005 (photos), we’ve watched it from our place on 8th Street.
It’s weird how my experience of the parade has become more domesticated over the years. At my first parade I was experiencing it all for the first time, I was single, and I was amazed to march past throngs of people. By this point, I’ve seen a few parades, I’ve got Matt, and (for now at least) we live on the parade route.
Happy (belated) Pride!