As a young budding professional who has been to Pride going on five years in a row, I am saddened by the emerging attitude that the parade has become quaint. My first parade was an experience; I didn't stand on the sidelines to observe, I marched. I missed most of the floats with the boys in thongs and leather daddies with whips. What I did catch was the million of supporters lining the streets cheering at me for being nothing but myself. This was a profound experience. Although I was already well on my way out of the closet (I probably would have done fine had I not gone to the parade) I realised that my marching and the million cheering had implications reaching far beyond 5th Ave.
New York City, being the capitol of the world, has the opportunity to influence the politics of the country and indeed the world. By showing up in droves every year, we demonstrate to the rest of the world the ubiquity of the LGBT community. The battle cry, "We're here, We're queer, Get used to it!" may no longer be appropriate for NYC streets. Maybe it should be changed to "They're there, They're queer, Get used to it!" We need to stand up for and with our LGBT brothers and sisters around the world. We have to realize that being viewed as "just another part of the community" is a luxury was have as New Yorkers. We should stand up for those around the world who can't stand up for themselves. We should be the example of what a city could and should be; protecting the rights of the oppressed and celebrating the histores and cultures of all it's citizens.
I have been rambling a lot, but I guess my point is, the parade can and has taken on new meanings along the years. From protesting an unjust police raid, to raising awareness of AIDS epidemic, to celebrating differences and similarities, to marching as an example to the world. The parade has come to mean so much to so many people. It would be a shame to let a great tradition fall by the wayside.
As a young budding professional who has been to Pride going on five years in a row, I am saddened by the emerging attitude that the parade has become quaint. My first parade was an experience; I didn't stand on the sidelines to observe, I marched. I missed most of the floats with the boys in thongs and leather daddies with whips. What I did catch was the million of supporters lining the streets cheering at me for being nothing but myself. This was a profound experience. Although I was already well on my way out of the closet (I probably would have done fine had I not gone to the parade) I realised that my marching and the million cheering had implications reaching far beyond 5th Ave.
New York City, being the capitol of the world, has the opportunity to influence the politics of the country and indeed the world. By showing up in droves every year, we demonstrate to the rest of the world the ubiquity of the LGBT community. The battle cry, "We're here, We're queer, Get used to it!" may no longer be appropriate for NYC streets. Maybe it should be changed to "They're there, They're queer, Get used to it!" We need to stand up for and with our LGBT brothers and sisters around the world. We have to realize that being viewed as "just another part of the community" is a luxury was have as New Yorkers. We should stand up for those around the world who can't stand up for themselves. We should be the example of what a city could and should be; protecting the rights of the oppressed and celebrating the histores and cultures of all it's citizens.
I have been rambling a lot, but I guess my point is, the parade can and has taken on new meanings along the years. From protesting an unjust police raid, to raising awareness of AIDS epidemic, to celebrating differences and similarities, to marching as an example to the world. The parade has come to mean so much to so many people. It would be a shame to let a great tradition fall by the wayside.