I thought I’d give a sneak peak of some of my pictures from Pride, which I’m currently uploading to fab. I abused my media pass, I took a ton of pics, so here are some choice moments from my weekend, along with my three pictures. Of course, it’s best to get it out of the way first, so I’ll start with . . .
 
The bad: There is a serious difference between straight allies and idiot straight people, and it’s the idiot straight people that ruin the Pride experience. You know, the ones who are lining up around the block to pose with the Trojan boys, giggling with decadent joy. It would be endearing if it weren’t so annoying. I watched a pair of tired, sweating, older drag queens on the sidewalk get stopped by a straight couple, who asked me if I could take a group shot. I obliged, the queens took a step before being accosted by another straight couple, who again asked me if I’d take a group picture. After I took the picture I screamed, “RUN!” It’s like feeding time at the fucking zoo.

Furthermore, at the actual parade I managed to elbow my way to the front, shoving past a middle-aged guy who was there with his wife who told me to go away. I told him I was there for a queer media organization, and he asked me which one, because he obviously had the right: fab-fucking-magazine, fuck you very much. 

Got that out of my system. So now . . .
 
The good: Completely impossible to pick one thing, but I think if I had to sum it up, it  would be the artistic talent. The portraits of the 10X10 Photography Project literally took my breath away. It runs till July 15 -- do not miss it! The Monstrous Ball was a sexy, arty extravaganza. And good lord . . . the music! I had never seen Crack Puppy or The Cliks -- Lucas proposed to his partner! -- until this past weekend, and both were absolutely fantastic! I think the entire crowd was in love with Bif Naked by the end of her concert. I know I was! And Rae Spoon’s concert was one of the most enjoyable performances I’ve ever seen, especially their Whitney-Dolly tribute of “I Will Always Love You.” I had no idea Shangela, of RuPaul’s Drag Race fame, was performing, and she had everyone in the audience cackling. Then all of the youth performances, readings and so much more. It is endlessly inspiring how much talent the queer and trans community holds.
 
The celebrations and demonstrations: The Trans March and rally, now in its fourth year, was a refreshing grassroots gathering, free from the throngs of morons, for better or for worse. Queers Against Israeli Apartheid marched in all three parades without the world coming to an end. Cheri DiNovo was rightly championed, and every time I took a picture of her she gave me a heart-melting smile. Buddies on Saturday night was absolutely fucking bitching. We were all dancing and singing along to “You Don’t Know You’re Beautiful,” and I’ve honestly never seen anything gayer.
 
I hope everyone had as kickass a Pride as I did!