Long Beach, CA: Pride Parade

I know, I am holding the sign upside down... It is a gift really.  

On May 22, 2011, Long Beach, CA, held its annual Gay Pride Parade.  I went to support and help out the organization I work with, but to be completely honest, I was very much out of my element, and very conflicted.

Attending a Christian private university, and growing up Christian (catholic), we are taught that homosexuality is not a lifestyle that believing and active Christians take part in.  I did, and still do, fully believe in the bible, and in my faith, but was conflicted on many of the statements in it.  In the end, I decided to help out, because, (a) regardless of my faith, we are all common people struggling to make it in the world, and we need each other, and (b) I realized that I had been judging/observing a group from the sidelines, that I knew nothing about.  So I went.  I didn't share my internal conflict with too many people, but I wanted to help, and I wanted to learn.

We passed out our hotlines, along with other domestic violence shelters and Aids awareness organizations, to help spread the word that we are there to help within the Long Beach community. 

I have marched in plenty parades before, but I had the most fun at this one.  The atmosphere was comfortable, and overall, I just felt accepted.  It was pretty awesome, really. 

The one problem I did have, and many others seemed to comment on this as well, was the overwhelming presence of sexuality sprinkled throughout the parade.  I did not find it productive to advertise strip clubs, penises, or S&M in a parade.  My director asked one S&M group, "so what is the purpose of your entry?"  Their response was essentially to show that we do what we want.  But, there were children and families present.  There are some adult lifestyles and activities that should remain with adults because of the nature of the activity, and these are some of them.   Call me a prude, I don't care, but I am sticking to that.  

I also found the presence of religion at the parade interesting.  There was a church group actually marching in the parade, with signs of acceptance and love.... and of course, controversial theology. It was interesting to see the responses to them- Many people didn't know how to respond at all.  Then, there were groups and churches protesting and yelling on sidelines... you know, to inform them that they were going to hell and all, in case they didn't know. (fyi, that's sarcasm)  

Overall, I am glad I did it, and if I ever have the opportunity to do it again, I would.  

Grand Canyon, AZ

Los Angeles, CA: Rally to Restore Sanity

"While an estimated 60,000 people gathered on the mall in Washington DC to rally under the leadership of Comedy Central hosts Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, about 1,000 Angelenos made their way to MacArthur Park this morning to watch the live telecast, reports CBS.

There was a lot of humor, a lot of music, a lot of star power, and a lot of solid soundbites worth contemplating and, for many, quoting. "Families have brought their kids and dogs for a relaxing day under partly cloud skies and mild temperatures," reported Neon Tommy. "Folks on Twitter are also calling the event a relaxing affair.""
-laist.com

"This was a not a rally to ridicule people's faith or people's activism... or suggest that times are not difficult or that we have nothing to fear. They are and we do. But we live in hard times, not end times. And we can have animus and not be enemies..."  Jon Stewart

 

Meanwhile in Washington DC.....

To read colbert's inaugaration of fear poem:

Did you hear that? 

No? You’re probably going deaf.

It’s your kids back home

Cooking up some crystal meth.

Did you turn off the oven?

Did you set the alarm?

They still haven’t caught

The man with one arm.

Look around at these people,

How safe do you feel?

Your car when you parked,

Did you lock it?

Thinking reasonably now,

What are the odds, 

That nobody here is a pick-pocket?

That guy who just coughed on your neck,

Could he have an infection?

The restaurant where you went to brunch,

Did it fail its health inspection?

A mad man could set loose a virus,

For which there isn’t a cure,

And while these things may be unlikely,

Ask yourself, ‘Are you sure?’

And can you be sure

You won’t get Ebola from a tainted Diet Cola,

Toxic Waste or getting chased by a bearded Ayatollah

Funnel clouds and hail,

Anthrax in the mail

Your lover will discover your vestigial tale

Someone’s robbing your house,

I can see through your blouse

Your mother was right,

You choose the wrong spouse

Unlabeled Drano, tornadoes, torpedoes, 

The horrible sight

Of some Guidos in Speedos,

STD’s, PCP’s, SUV’s, UV light.

A giant pimple on your face:

You have a date tonight.

Choking on a biscotti

Being whacked by John Gotti

Getting trapped overnight

In a full porta potty

And I have one final fear to drop in your bucket,

About a friend of a friend

Of the man from Nantucket:

There once was a man from Oclair,

Who no one was able to scare,

He wouldn’t join panics,

About the Hispanics,

And later he was killed by a bear.

True Story.