I had a blast yesterday at Chicago's Gay Pride Parade. The weather was beautiful sunny warm and light breeze. The crowd was huge, enthusiastic, loud and into the moment. I was just going to watch at first, but someone I came with convinced me to be a part of it because "she" was with a group that was in the parade, so after a little thought I decided why not. The parade wound through a neighborhood known as Boystown because of its large gay population, twisting down one street and turning onto another. There were a lot of brightly colored floats filled with semi-naked bodies gyrating to pulsing pounding music and it was so easy to get swept up in the rhythms. The costumes were outrageous and it was all in fun. I wore a bright yellow shirt-jacket over a thin blue polo style t-shirt and tie-dyed stretch skinny blue jeans. I had a tan and orange straw fedor cocked to the side with the brim up and a silver spiked black leather choker around my neck and black nail polish on my hands and feet added a devilish touch. My friend wore a pink baby doll teddy, straight shoulder length wig and high heels and nothing else. She was quite pretty. People asked if they could take my picture and of course I said yes. I waved to the crowd got hugged by a happy lady onlooker and never felt so welcome accepted appreciated and loved in all my life. It was a glorious few hours. I wish every day could be Pride Day everywhere.
