It was a PERFECT day for a parade...everyone enjoyed themselves...reaffirming, I'm sure!

Just a couple of rants:

Free Speach or Parade Violation??? We had a couple of "religious" bigots taunt the crowd PRIOR to the parade. Do they have a right to be on the street? I know the Pride Parade folks pay for permits, etc. And the Pride Assoc controls the parade entries, etc. These guys were NOT parade entries.

Should the police have told them to take their issues to the sidewalk...not the street?

Portland's Finest Part of the cost of hosting such a parade is extra police staff. Justifiable I guess if you put cops on the street and not in Starbucks!

Of interest to me was that six of them sat in Starbucks on SE Taylor from 1115am to 130pm (the entire length of the parade). They were motorcycle cops...I sat adjacent to their helmets! (the helmets never moved from the window... looked like white Halloween pumpkins...scaring potential shenanigans!!!)

Were they waiting for a riot to occur so they could spring out of Starbucks with coffee cake in hand?...and whatever happened to mere donuts? I guess the pay scale HAS changed!

Humorous Ignorance!!!!

Barbara Roberts was in the parade. She was proudly riding in the back of a convertible.

My friend noted the sign: "Governor Barbara Roberts"

"Oh My God," he exclaimed, "The Governor is here!"

Before I could say a word he leaped forward, saying "I've got to shake the Governor's hand!" Which he did.

I did not have the heart to tell him that it was not our CURRENT Governor. But then again, once a Gov, always a Gov...right?

Glad she was in the parade! It made our day!

For many years I've been part of the Pride celebration. Unfortunately in recent years it's become somewhat irrelevant for me. I thank the people who work hard to produce it, and I understand that you can’t please everyone, but I do miss what’s been lost.

Possibly my greatest achievement as a gay man, other than finding fulfillment with my partner of 18 years, has been becoming a dad, something I was trained to understand could and should never be a possibility. But through creativity, adoption, commitment and a bit of defiance I’ve learned the joys of parenting. I’m a pretty good dad, so I’ve heard.

Pride celebration in Portland is regularly held on Father’s day. I think this is a mistake and a loss. This is a day I treasure and set aside as a private day for “my kids” and me.

Also, for a variety of good reasons I’m told, the Parade no longer runs through upper SW Stark Street, which has always seemed to me to be the gayest and most fagulous part of town. I used to love those few blocks. It was the very best the Parade had to offer. It was us being ourselves with no apologies, and it was a joyous example of being so far “out” that there could be no way to understand why someone would be in [the closet]. The gay businesses would set out grandstands, and treat us to music, banners, confetti, and the cheers of queens with sequins and feather boas; shirtless boiz in pants so tight there was no doubt; and leathermen singing show tunes. It was always raining men.

Of course the framing of the Parade as an assembly of “everyday people” is just as valid as anything else. But losing the special, unique, and at times totally outrageous flavor of SW Stark Street shows me that being just like everyone else has its costs.

Pride was great. I have seen the parade for the last 12 years. This was the best yet. People looked less exhausted, and much more comfortable.

Those guys who were taunting at the beginning of the parade weren't a part o the parade proper, but I think it wouldn't be a pride parade without them. I am not in the least surprised by their presence.

There were floats, and music, soldiers marching with flags there were drag kings and queens, christian groups, folks from PFLAG There were dykes on bikes, and dogs underfoot, gay yellow pages in bright yellow bags

True to controversy, chests of all genders were bared and sunscreen needed in hope that skin be spared

of course, there were kids, one marching as spongebob and kids that were watching sparkly drag queens, eyes agog.

Politicos marched, while some rode up high shaking all hands, under a bright blue sky.

CAP handed out mints, fireman gave out candy, bike folks throw out fliers the kids were dancin' from Rocky

An excellent Sunday Father's day and all, when I went home, My father I called:

"Dad it is son, your oldest three, a happy fathers day from my family and me."

you know, even after 12 years, I still tear up when I see the dykes on bikes. Its is the start of summer for me, and a sign that we are still free to be who we are (whatever you are).

sorry bout the bad poetry :-D My wife has pronounced my poetry "utterly terrible"

Jim,

Appreciated your comment on wishing the parade wasn't on Father's Day. My wife's father is gay, and for the last several years attempts to celebrate Father's Day with him have taken a back seat to his celebration of gay pride.

<h2>I don't see the point, or the wisdom, in placing this event on a day that should be about fathers spending time with children at home and celebrating a special family bond. Especially in an age of wide-spread absentee fatherism, we should all be behind the idea of holding seperate and sacred a day for fathers who are actually doing a good job...</h2>