Thought for Thursday - Gay Pride...or Queer Pride

Officially, Gay Pride (or Queer Pride as some call it these days to be more inclusive of all things not included) is celebrated to mark the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Just a quick history lesson. Late June 27, 1969 into the wee hours of June 28, 1969 (I was almost 6 years old and living in the Chicago area at the time, I think) the New York City Police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar. They were there supposedly to enforce liquor laws (the Stonewall Inn may have been operating without a license), but that seems to have been an excuse to batter and beat the gays, lesbians and transgendered people that were at the establishment. Ultimately, the people fought back and several accounts say that the riots and demonstrating lasted several days. Although gay rights activism has it's roots in several organizations that were formed many years prior to this, Stonewall is considered a seminal event in gay rights history.

At this point, Pride events go on all over the country and now worldwide. While most of these events occur in late June to coincide with the Stonewall Riot anniversary, some cities have them at different times and in totally different parts of the year. Usually the New York, Chicago and San Francisco ones occur in the same weekend as close as possible to the actual anniversary. As such, all three occur the weekend of June 28th and 29th for the 2008 Pride season. Denver's often falls on the same weekend as those three, but for some reason this year ours is this weekend. We are spreading out events over three days though! For lesbians there are parties both Friday night (see the BAD link to the right for additional information) and Saturday night as well as Pridefest events on Saturday and Sunday during the daytime hours. Of course the big Pride Parade is on Sunday morning.

So what does TheWeryrd1 do to celebrate. I usually go out to at least one party. This year, I'll go to the BAD party on Friday night as it's also one of my best friend's birthday. I don't know if I'll have the energy for the Saturday party as the party seems a bit more for the younger set (those gals under 35) and I may need the recovery time. Sunday morning, very early, I'll do what I do every year. I'll have a couple of bowls of Fruit Loops and a glass of OJ. I may have some coffee. I'll pack up a cooler of water for my trunk and a spare set of clothes (shorts, socks and another t shirt). My umbrella is in the car already. I'll also wear my straw cowboy hat and slather on some sunblock. Then, I'll leave the house between 8:30 and 9:00 unless I'm meeting friends (that hasn't been decided yet). Downtown in Denver I'll find a place to park that's fairly near the Pridefest location and walk to an area where I can perch to watch the parade. I'll cheer for the Dykes on Bikes and the Boys (and girls) on Toys. I'll sniffle a bit when the PFLAG contingent goes by me and hope it's the longest section of the parade. Then I'll wander around all the booths, see my friends, eat some food and watch some bands. After that I may go home or I might get talked into going to an after party. If y'all are lucky I may Make Your Monday with a review of the weekend! Happy Pride!