My Wonderful Gay Pride parade

Groan....I'm so stiff and sore I can barely move. I whooped it up and hollered so much I can't really talk either. It's too painful. It's going to take a week to recover from this weekend. But I don't care. What a party. What a parade. What a way to show our colours to the world. And show them that they can hate us all they want. But we are not afraid. Like the guy in the photo we're fearless and proud.

It was the best ever Pride Parade as far as I'm concerned. It was better organized. The parade moved along quicker and although it started late (gay time is a bit like Caribbean time) the show was over in two hours. And it was a good one.

I loved the fact that they started the parade with muzzled marchers carrying the flags and placards of countries where gays and lesbians are persecuted like Poland, Russia, Zimbabwe, and Iran. And a big banner that read "We march for those who can't."

I also liked the show the Toronto and Ontario Provincial Police put on. It was big and noisy with lots of police cars and motorcycles draped with gay flags. And lots of gay officers in uniform, including a lesbian officer holding hands with her partner and kids. I felt so proud of our police force I admit I had tears in my eyes.

Then there was the radical contingent that had printed up hundreds of big pictures of Stephen Harper. As their convertible moved down the street they held up a picture of our homophobic President. And then tore it in half. One picture after the other. I know it was a cheap float and a cheap gesture. But you know me. I loved it all the same!!!!

There was also more music than in other parades. Although still not enough. I expect to hear it blasting out every inch of the parade. So people in the march and those on the sidewalk can really whoop it up. I mean are we gay or what?










But with great gay friendly samba bands like this one who's complaining? They had to hold me back from leaping over the barricades and bouncing like Tigger down Yonge Street behind them.

There were lots of cute bois too...











Although seconds after I took this shot I was forced to whip out my Super Soaker and mow down the one on the right. Stitched him from tit to tit. And left his hair looking like a soggy mop. I had no choice. Look what he was packing. Whew! It was either him or me.

Too bad. He was cute. Although the one who stole my heart was Superman...

Can you blame me? He's not only fearless. He's friendly too...

Anyway.......the whole thing went off without any ugly incidents to spoil the party. Although the guy in the next photo had to leave early. For the hospital. You know taking bad drugs is never a good idea. But when you take them and then wear a t-shirt that says "Governments are the Real Drug Dealers," you can look really dumb when you OD. Duh?









Once again the police, including some senior officers, were magnificent. As were all the volunteers who worked so hard to make the party happen.

I had no idea there were so many of them, young and old, gay and straight. I was so proud to be part of such a great team I can never thank them, or Sebastien enough. Even if I was just a broom boy. (sob)

And a big thank you to all the straight people who turned out to cheer the marchers on and join in the celebration. Along with all my gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, they made it happen too. And it was beautiful.

I may be all beat up.

But I've never felt so happy and proud to be gay. Fearless and free. And ready to take on Harper and his homophobes in the battle over our equality rights. Ready to rumble. After today I'll settle for nothing less than their unconditional surrender.

Which I guess is what a Gay Pride parade is really all about....