a summary of last Sunday

OK, time for part two of the long overdue update from last week. Namely, the annual Chicago Gay Pride Parade. Sunday the 25th. I admit I probably wouldn't have remembered about it this time if a friend hadn't brought it to my attention... but she had, and we spent a good few hours enjoying the madness.:) It was very crowded - despite the heavy rain in the morning that almost made us wonder if the parade was going to take place at all. But the weather got really nice just before it was due to start; slightly overcast, but with a wonderful cool breeze relieving the humidity, and even occasional glimpses of sun. So it wasn't as exhausting as last year. We missed a good part at the beginning, though - the parade was in full swing when we got there (heavy traffic, crowded buses, looooong lines to use the bathroom in every fastfood place etc.). So my friend was hugely disappointed that she didn't get to see the Dykes on Bikes.;) Still, there were plenty other attractions.:D I wish I had made notes of some of the funniest signs and t-shirt slogans... as it is, I only remember a few. Like the big-breasted, very feminine woman whose t-shirt said: "This is what a feminist looks like" (high points for fighting the stereotypes... lol). Or the girl with the lovely, tight curls on her head, carrying a sign of "My uncle is as straight as my hair". Not to even mention the outrageous boys in various states of undress, representing all kinds of businesses, communities and organizations imaginable. It wasn't my first time at the parade (third, in fact) - but I still find it hard to believe sometimes that such an event is at all possible. Especially the sight of policemen on horses adorned with rainbow flags seemed so... unearthly, somehow. I guess that's because it would be rather unthinkable where I come from... but that's a whole another story, and I have no time to further digress at the moment.

So... ( Read more... )