Gay Pride Parade (Festivals / Fairs / Events)

Member Name: janeh

Product:	Festivals / Fairs / Events
Date:	16/07/02 (44 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fun, Strange sights

Disadvantages: Strange sights, Political

Just before we left for San Francisco, we found out that it was Gay Pride month (June) and on Sunday 30th it would be the Gay Pride Parade down Market Street, so with nothing planned for that day, we decided to take a look.

On the news the night before we saw pictures of thousands of people in the street celebrating and over a million people were expected to attend the parade, so true to British form, we arrived in Market Street 1.5 hours early and the street was bare! Hardly anyone was around, so again being British we picked a spot and sat and waited. Within 20 minutes of the start time, throngs of people started to arrive, suddenly we were surrounded by people, some openly gay/lesbian, others, like us just along for the ride.

The parade started with what they call Dykes on Bikes. Hundreds of lesbians riding huge motorbikes down the street, there must have been over 400 bikes and half again as many women, some dressed, some not, some in biking leathers, some just in leather!! Then followed the rest of the parade with floats, cyclists, walkers etc, the usual carnival stuff. Many of the people taking part were protesting quietly about gay and lesbian rights, such as the right to marry etc. Some were dressed normally, some in drag, many dressed outrageously and many not dressed in much at all!

There were women who used to be men, men who used to be women, some showing off their surgery i.e. mastectomy scars and boob enhancements etc. There were transvestites and also celebrities such as Sharon Gless (ex Cagney & Lacey), Nancy Sinatra, Sir Ian McKellan and various Mayors and dignitaries etc.

We left the parade after 2.5 hours as it was getting very hot, but it was still going strong, so I’m not sure how long it went on for in total. Apparently there was a party planned for after too.

All in all it was a very entertaining experience. Some of the sights were a little shocking and many downright hilarious, but it was a
fun day and one I am glad to have seen. It is a shame that much of it was political, but if that is the only way to get your point across then so be it.

Summary: