All you need is your eyes to enjoy these float...floats from our annual Gay Pride parade.I've told you they really know how to do things right here in Rochester, New York when it comes to celebrating and the 'Streets of Pride' parade is no different. We like to have fun with Pride in showing our diversity and have a tendency to add lots of 'splash' to things we do...especially with splashes of color. Just as with all people, homosexuals are all different; from the averge, every day man on the streets to those who are a bit flamboyant.
The ones who fall into the latter category come in handy in making events during Pride come alive just a little bit more making them seem even more fabulous than they already are.Gay Pride is set aside for homosexuals to celebrate their uniqueness; to share their lifestyle with all who are open-minded enough to accept a person for whom he or she is. It's meant to educate others that gays are no different than anyone else with the sole exception that they love members of the same sex...love being the key word. Love is what makes the world go around. Even the Bible teaches us to 'Love thy neighbor as we would love ourself.'
In addition to teaching all to love one another, Gay Pride also helps everyone learn about tolerance and acceptance. There is nothing wrong with being gay, espeically with love being the main lesson to be learned. Why shouldn't a person be able to be who they are; the way they were born? How can a homosexual be so comfortable with themself, yet make others feel so uncomfortable? All it takes is understanding to be able to accept your fellow human as a person...plain and simple. Each year, many events are scheduled during the week-long Gay Pride celebration; not only in Rochester, but in every city that observes Gay Pride. Here, we hold tea dances, charity benefits, theatrical performances, a gay-themed motion picture festival, a parade and post-parade party and a family picnic.
There's lots of activity, all of which are open to the public where everyone is welcome to attend. Attend they do. The heterosexual population turns out en force with more straight people coming to these events than gays, only in the fact the heterosexuals far outnumber the gays statistically speaking alone. All the events are planned as wholesome for the entire family. Mothers and fathers can feel comfortable in bringing their children because they're held with an atmosphere of fun for everyone. When it's time for the 'Streets of Pride' parade, thousands of people turn out to watch.
Some stake out their spot along the parade route in the early morning to make sure they have a prime location to watch the procession from. From the crack of dawn, you'll see lawn chairs sitting curbside awaiting the beginning of the parade, which kicks off in the late afternoon. By 5:00 PM, you'd better have your spot along the street or you'll be standing behind the crowd to see all that passes by. Once the parade begins to march down Park Avenue, you'll hear hundreds of cameras clicking to capture the moment. The applause as each unit passes by is thunderous. All faces feature smiles and the laughter lifts the spirits of everyone nearby. It's not all that much of a serious event, but one meant to spread joy and to be entertaining. Every marcher revels in the attention they get and puts of a show. They all wave to strangers along the route in appreciation of the support that's turned out. They may be people whom we haven't met yet, but for the time at hand; we are all one, big, happy family. 
With the passing of the parade's end, many of the spectators will fall in line behind the last marchers and follow along to wherever the location is that the post-parade party will be held. It's not just a few who attend, but over 5,000 people will show up to keep the fun going into the night. There's food and drink to enjoy, much music and performances from various groups...dance routines, flag twirlers, song and drag performances by some of the city's kings and queens. The mood is light and happy. All are sad it can't go on forever.
The party can't last, but the message behind it can. All it takes is an open mind and acceptance to make every day Gay Pride Day. Love your fellow man and woman as a person. It can't get any more simple than that. Granted, there are differences in everyone, but the diversity displayed is what makes our world such a wonderful place in which to live. I am a 40 year old, white, gay man with one leg. Do you know what? Somewhere in the sea of people out there, I am sure there are other 40 year old, gay, white men with one leg. There are also gay, black men and women, gay, brown men and women, gay, yellow men and women, gay, red men and women. They have one leg or two, both arms or just one, two eyes and two ears or none. They are in their teens and 20's, 30's and 40's and older. What does a gay person in their 30's turn into? They turn into an older gay person. Sexual preference doesn't stop at a certain age. When you're gay; it stays...for life.
There are homosexuals, bisexuals, transsexuals, transvestites, the transgendered. We are the colors of the rainbow just like all others are the colors of the rainbow, too, no matter what walk of life we come from. The togetherness and acceptance makes those colors blend into a beautiful pictures of all coming together as one.As I have been doing all this week, the monies I earn on Gather through all of you commenting on my posts will be donated to help mankind in its own little way. It won't be a lot, but however many dollars I collect, I will be contributing to a community organization that assists the people of this fair city; not just the gay population, but all people. The group, AIDS Rochester, will benefit from your open minds and acceptance. The money will be given on behalf of the wonderful members of Gather...our own little way to show the entire world that it's alright to love another person unconditionally no matter who or what they are. AIDS Rochester helps those from all walks of life in educating, preventing and treating those who have been affected by such a deadly disease. Many strides have been made in fighting this killer and those who have contracted AIDS are living a longer, healthier life through programs offered.
Keep those comments coming and keep those dollars rolling in. We can never do too much to help others in need. (You'll notice, I haven't even been begging for cookies this week. The issue I'm discussing is much more important.) Included in this article are entries from various gay and gay-friendly businesses such as Muthers Nighclub, Tilt Nighclub, Equal Grounds Coffee Shop and others. There's only a few more days I'll be sharing Gay Pride with all of you; then it's back to life as normal. Normal. What homosexuals are...normal people. We are no different than anyone else for the most part. We deserve to be treated the same as all others are. We should be respected with equality just as everyone else is. We don't deserve close-minded attitudes that put us down. We want to be loved for who we are like others are. We can be serious just as we can be light-hearted.
Tomorrow, we'll take a look at the lighter side of homosexuality and enjoy some laughter with a look at things that will no doubt make you smile...and every day, we remind all it's okay to be gay.
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Comments: 44
What a cool name for a coffee shop!
great essay Rob....
" Now that we're into summertime and the temperatures are heating up, "
All I can say to that is it is about time it is Mid July. If it was not for the Rochester weather I would not mind moving back.
With one big awesome float
Hi Rob hon, just checking in real quick to say hello and give ya some points! I miss ya, and no such luck on the kiddos getting out any time soon. ugh
You are so well spoken. I couldn't have said any of it better myself!