Pride 2006

[vaneramos]

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.

Comments

[devin101.livejournal.com]

"I wish more would march merely for joy."

This line is wonderful, and I think it could apply to so many walks of life.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

That's a good point, Devin. And many of us have a lot to celebrate.

[myownghost.livejournal.com]

that sounds great! i love the thought of the married mounties. :)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

:-)

[daisydumont.livejournal.com]

that's terrific! :D

[bitterlawngnome.livejournal.com]

Actually I wonder if Ed Broadbent marched in the parade when he was in Jack's shoes?

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

And Joe Clark went in the Calgary parade a year or two before the demise of the Progressive Conservatives.

[mathan.livejournal.com]

It was great to see you and Marian watching the parade. I only wish I had more time to chat with Marian - she's so cool. *GRIN* :)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Yes, I hope we get to spend more time, sometime.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I was thinking he became leader of the NDP last year, but of course it's longer ago than that. Well, the parade was even less remarkable than I thought!