Pride 2006

Marian and I went to Pride today, just the two of us for the first time. We had barely stepped out of Wellesley station when we met Dan, his partner, and a friend of theirs. Dan and Marian had not seen each other since she was seven, and didn't recognize one another at first. Other than that we saw surprisingly few friends, hardly any from Toronto. Actually, from year to year the event is growing less and less queer as the crowd becomes deluged with sightseers. We each received a fair share of admiration from complete strangers, though.

Meanwhile the parade seems overrun with political, commercial and religious interests asserting one version of the truth, or another. Notably, Jack Layton rode a tandem bicycle with his wife, Olivia Chow, which probably marks the first time a federal party leader has joined the parade. The ranks of city police driving and marching with their partners were also considerably larger than last year. A pair of newly-married Mounties walked arm in arm. All of these participants have their place.

I wish more would march merely for joy. My favourites are The Righteously Outrageous Twirling Corps and Church Street Pipe Band, along with many others who succeed at being silly, fabulous, brilliant or bizarre. Marian is remarkably astute about where all the nonsense comes from, without taking it or herself too seriously. I thoroughly enjoyed her company today.

Uninspiring

The weariness continues. Once I'm moving I have energy for what needs to be done, but the moment I stop, inertia sets in. This morning I did not want to get out of bed. I did, of course.

We just got back from doing a photo shoot with bitterlawngnome in graffiti alley. Marian and I are chilling in Toronto today, before picking Brenna up tonight. Then we'll be home in Guelph for three or four solid days. Maybe I'll have a chance to get grounded again.

This morning, I counted: yesterday at Pride I saw fewer than 10 friends, hardly anyone I would normally bump into on Church Street: Dan; Crystal and Lori; scottybear, mathan and bigfootcub; Jon and Bill; rfmcdpei. What is going on? The photos I took are generally uninspiring. Here's some eye candy.



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