As you may know, this was Gay Pride weekend in NYC and it's a huge deal around here. I've watched the festivities from the sidelines before, but never had an opportunity to participate. In fact, several years ago I asked my cousin if I could tag along with him to some of the activities and he told me he didn't think I should. He gave me some lame excuse about people seeing me as a fag hag and made me feel so bad, I decided never to ask again. Last year at this time I had just started coming out to friends and co-workers, and been part of the trans community only a few months, but I went to the parade and watched from the sidewalk 'cause I so wanted to be a part of the experience. It was nice, but this year it was so much better.
Friday my group (TransMasculine Community Network) joined other trans groups in a Trans Day of Action rally and march. Last year we got into a big tussle with the NYPD because they didn't want us to march and didn't want to issue us a permit. This year we fought hard for the permit and were allowed to march, but only on the sidewalks, not the streets (and not on any main streets). Not perfect, but we have to start somewhere. We also got permission to have speeches in one of the city parks and lots of people stopped and listened to us talk about injustices towards trans people, so that was cool. After that our group went to eat and I joined them and had a great time. I should probably explain that lately I've been feeling like I should start acting my age and stop hanging out with these "kids", but I had such a good time and (as always), they make me feel so welcome and part of the group that I realized how silly I've been. These guys are all in their 20's and I'm 46, and I don't feel too bad about tagging along if Das is there 'cause he's 38, but he was out of town and I thought I should skip it. Anyway, I'm glad I didn't.
Yesterday (Sunday) The TransMasculine Community Network marched in its first ever gay pride parade (a fact that was announced on a loudspeaker on several stops along the route). It was so amazing that words can't begin to describe it. We wore our t-shirts with our logo on it, carried our banner with our name and logo and handed out fliers to all who wanted to know what our group was about. Behind us was a float that played great dancing music and we all got into the spirit and danced up and down 5th Avenue from midtown to the Village (even Das, a little). I haven't danced in too long, mostly because of my bum knee, but I danced up a storm today. People on the sidelines were cheering us on and some even gave us water (it was a very hot, sunny day). I was told I couldn't be any gayer (I was wearing a rainbow dogtag, a rainbow bracelet and a rainbow lei), and I realized my wave to the crowds had started out like a stiff politician's wave, but by the end it was as gay as could be.
Das dared me to flirt with 3 guys in the crowd and said he's post about it, so I had to do it. I blew kisses at cute guys and they blew them back - it was sooo great. Halfway through the parade my son, Greg, showed up but didn't want to join us. He and his friend watched from the sidelines and followed us to the end - after which we went out to celebrate in the East Village. The perfect ending to a hot, sweaty, feet-hurting but happy day.
But here's the best part of my whole gay pride parade experience . . . I swear if I died right now, I'd die happy. Along the route Das was handing out fliers to the crowd and he handed one to this guy with long white hair wearing a blue shirt. A second later I realized it was Billy Connolly (you know him, right? the Scottish actor/comedian?). Anyway, I never approach celebrities (they hate that usually), but I was so psyched about the whole experience that I walked right up to him with my hands held out to him and said, "Oh my God!" He was so nice - first, he took my hand and shook it. I thanked him for coming out and then he wished me a Happy Pride, reached out and gave me a really strong hug. I couldn't believe it! I was in heaven! Billy Connolly hugged me!! The only way it would have been better was if it had been Eddie Izzard (or Johnny Depp, but then I would have passed out). I was so thrilled, I had to tell someone, but I realized none of the guys with me would probably know who he is and then I looked around for Greg (who would have LOVED it), but he was not in sight. I related the whole experience to him later and he couldn't believe it.
So, yeah . . . I had a perfect day. The best day ever I can remember. And I wanted to share it. My voice is gone from all the hooting and hollering and my body aches, but it was all worth it. I called in sick today to recover - I guess you could say I have Pride hangover.
[SIZE="1"]Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl[/SIZE]
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Originally Posted by CaptLex
Wonderful!!
.....me not a fan of the man at all!