June is pride month. Does it or should it mean anything to the crossdresser.

While I support the LGBT community greatly, I don't feel the need to march in a parade to justify myself.
I do, however, stand by all those that do march in the parades.

If there's a legislative issue that needs to be targeted, whether same-sex couples get married, or of transgender folks need to use the appropriate bathroom, or healthcare provisions regarding transition , I'll support and fight for that right.
Because of NJ's governor Christie's sleight of hand on the marriage issue, I will be voting for it on the November ballot.

I have taken part in a number of Gay Pride Parades, maybe 20-25, but not in a few years. During my marriage I was able to participate because my wife was out of town very often back then, going back to the 1970's when the local Parade was in August, and later when it was in June, and I worked in the " New Town " community and worked very often on a Sunday back then, until noon time, and I had my female attire and accessories stashed away in the East Lake View neighborhood, (aka "Boys Town " & "New Town ") I support the goals of the the great LGBT community, as I understand them, but to each his own and live and let live in so so far as someone's involvement in LGBT activities & struggles. I have neen way too inactive in the last few years, which is strange as I am now retired, and have been for years, and have so much spare time on my hands.

Update to all: I was able to attend the pride festival (aply called motor city pride) in downtown Detroit this afternoon, which it seems, was attended by
several thousand people. I will wait until tomorrow to get the exact attendance figures. I had a good time, enjoyed the many drag and cross-gendered
shows (and they were back to back from 1:30 until 7:00pm). I go out enfemme every saturday night to the local cabaret here in Detroit but rarely
see lesbian or gay couples kissing or holding hands. Today, love was in the air and was being shown. It was a beautiful, although slightly uncomfortable
scene. I understand now, pride = gay. I saw maybe three crossdressers all afternoon.


I dont consider myself gay so it seems I have a lot to learn about the definition of lgbt pride.....dana

One of my first excursions in public was a Trans March in SF. If you want something to give you backbone, seeing thousands of absolutely wonderful, smiling people, all shades of trans people, proudly marching and simply "being" can't be beat!

Yesterday was the local Pride celebration and it was mostly a LG crowd, there was enough of a T presence to let them know we are here too. If I can quote the song, seeing all these "shiny, happy people," from children to seniors, reveling simply in who they are was inspirational. Seeing some of the older LG couples walk hand in hand like my wife and I do and realizing how long they didn't have the right to enjoy that simple pleasure said something to me. Some of the smiles that we got from attendees said a lot also. My right to be a "part time woman" strengthens their rights and visa versa. Good stuff. SF Pride and the Trans March are coming up soon and I'll be there, and may even be in the parade!

Look, these events are a time for the LGB & yes, T community to celebrate ourselves but it is also a time to show the world that we are here and F***ing proud to what???? To simply be who we are. (Not asking a lot!) And for the haters, it is an "in your face" sample of their worst nightmares (or wet dreams more likely)!

It is good stuff.
Debby

The Pride parade here is also a festival -- lots of food booths, musical entertainment, political speeches and (this year) campaign recruitment. Lot of fun and very inclusive. Defiantly for CDs and all transgender-ed people, closeted or not. The mood is upbeat this year. We finally got a civil unions law and the real biggie -- a law banning all workplace, housing and public discrimination against TG's. And we almost got a law allowing TSers to change the gender on their birth certificate even though they have not had reassignment surgery -- HRT and living as a member of the opposite sex will be sufficient. It's coming next year.
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/...ett/Image1.jpg

Went to the pride parade here in Vancouver for the first time ever last year. I was very excited to watch, having come from Alberta and recently coming out as a CD to my wife (she is bi, and active as a support in the community). I didn't see a very big "T" community though. Trouble is, for those who have transitioned, or for those who are very "passable", its hard to show a presence. I was quite disappointed to be honest.

am i right?

kind of ironic there. There should be a better way to visually represent in a parade?? any thoughts?

Candice

Like some of the other posters here, I have been to several gay pride events, and it is really about being gay. Like, really, really, trying-to-hook-up male-meat-market oh-boy-what-am-I-doing-here stuff, at least in Provincetown and in New York. Maybe the experience is different in other cities, but my experience is that it is a textbook example of male libido and unless you're there to play along, I don't know why anyone would go to this enormous singles-bar event.

First let me say, I AM IN THE CLOSET, but here in my town, we have more TG's in the parade, than we have gays in it. While I don't march in there parade I am there every year to watch it, take pictures, and show them off in photo contest locally, it bugs a few homophobia I know. I also go to the festival that follows the parade. Last year I bought myself a pretty necklace as a souvenir. Here we don't celebrate until the fall, but I'll be ready, I won't be marching again, but I'll be there cheering them all on! Being in the closet does not necessarily mean shame, sometimes it's just protecting what's yours.
Tina B.

I wish Pride Month was in the fall! I don't like Summer and I hate baking in the Sun for hours just to have fun.

I haven't been to a Pride Parade since I was 22 just because I absolutely dread being in the Sun! I go to after Pride parties at night though!

I marched in one with some friends this year for the first time it was a lot of fun. I'm not out of the closet but everyone that knows me know how I feel about LGBT rights and how we should treat everyone with love not hate. For me it was a way to show my support.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tina B.

but I'll be there cheering them all on! Being in the closet does not necessarily mean shame, sometimes it's just protecting what's yours.

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There's nothing wrong with being in the closet Tina, and you are a great example of someone who is not afraid to show their support even though you prefer to keep your personal life private. If all closeted CD's were like you, than I would be left without an axe to grind. ;-) To you the community (such as it is) means something, sadly many others have no concern for us when the sun comes out.

Just another "I'm out, and you should be, too" thread.

I wish I had the balls to be out, I will agree that ideally we should all be out as well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NicoleScott

Just another "I'm out, and you should be, too" thread.

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Why the bitterness? Who said "everyone should be out because I'm/we're/whoever's out?"

If you're in the closet and happy in the closet, then I'm happy for you being happy and in the closet. You do your thing, and everyone else will do their thing and we can all be happy doing our own thing!