And so it was to Brighton’s Gay Pride event last Saturday. The sun didn’t stop shining after months of rain, there was record attendance – about 150,000 – and everyone behaved themselves – well, as much as you’d want them too. I’ve lost count how many Prides this is for me, but it’s still a good laugh and you can’t really go wrong with a free event and lots of hot bods on a baking Summer’s day.
However, I did get the feeling that my straight mates were much more excited by the whole thing, and were buzzing with excitement in the morning like Christmas had come early. You could tell it was no ordinary day just by looking out the window at the procession of fairies, dolly partons, and gladiators going past, although some might just have been my weird neighbours.
This feeling that the event was as much for the straights as the gays carried on throughout the day and into the week, as straight colleagues at work proudly boasted about attending – hey hetero boys, you might look cooler about the whole mixing with gays thing if you didn’t cling to your girlfriend’s arm the entire time.
Now don’t get me wrong, I have never thought that Gay Pride should draw any lines, and I think it’s right that it should evolve into an inclusive gathering of anyone who believes in acceptance and equality. No, the side of it that bugged me just slightly was the feeling of being an animal in a zoo, that same-sex attraction had been turned into a theme-park attraction. I walked through the park with some of my straight friends as they pointed to the various species on display; yes, that’s a woman with leather chaps and a naked arse; yes, that’s a huge man in 12 inch heels; yes, I’m afraid those incredibly fit and good-looking guys are gay etc.
Anyway, if I’m sounding grouchy, it’s probably because I started writing this severely hung-over. I did have a great time, and it’s still an important day – a lot of equality battles have been won in the UK, but it would be a crime to become complacent, especially with the struggle to stage pride parades around the world. So I will be attending next year, I just hope my st8 m8s forgive me if I leave my fairy wings behind.
Roll up, roll up
And so it was to Brighton’s Gay Pride event last Saturday. The sun didn’t stop shining after months of rain, there was record attendance – about 150,000 – and everyone behaved themselves – well, as much as you’d want them too. I’ve lost count how many Prides this is for me, but it’s still a good laugh and you can’t really go wrong with a free event and lots of hot bods on a baking Summer’s day.
However, I did get the feeling that my straight mates were much more excited by the whole thing, and were buzzing with excitement in the morning like Christmas had come early. You could tell it was no ordinary day just by looking out the window at the procession of fairies, dolly partons, and gladiators going past, although some might just have been my weird neighbours.
This feeling that the event was as much for the straights as the gays carried on throughout the day and into the week, as straight colleagues at work proudly boasted about attending – hey hetero boys, you might look cooler about the whole mixing with gays thing if you didn’t cling to your girlfriend’s arm the entire time.
Now don’t get me wrong, I have never thought that Gay Pride should draw any lines, and I think it’s right that it should evolve into an inclusive gathering of anyone who believes in acceptance and equality. No, the side of it that bugged me just slightly was the feeling of being an animal in a zoo, that same-sex attraction had been turned into a theme-park attraction. I walked through the park with some of my straight friends as they pointed to the various species on display; yes, that’s a woman with leather chaps and a naked arse; yes, that’s a huge man in 12 inch heels; yes, I’m afraid those incredibly fit and good-looking guys are gay etc.
Anyway, if I’m sounding grouchy, it’s probably because I started writing this severely hung-over. I did have a great time, and it’s still an important day – a lot of equality battles have been won in the UK, but it would be a crime to become complacent, especially with the struggle to stage pride parades around the world. So I will be attending next year, I just hope my st8 m8s forgive me if I leave my fairy wings behind.