Every day is gay pride in Chelsea, NYC, so it's easy to forget that there are other parts of this great city, this country and the world that are not quite as accepting of homosexuality.Pride Week is a chance to call attention to how far we've come and how much further we have to go in the fight for equal rights.
This has certainly been an interesting year for gay rights. States like Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine will legalize gay marriage between now and 2010, while "liberal" states like California disappointed many members of gay and straight communities by passing Prop 8.
Tomorrow, to culminate Pride Week festivities, the Gay Pride Parade will wind its way through the streets of New York -- both a colorful tribute and important reminder that while NYC may in some ways be welcoming to cultural and political diversity, despite having one of the largest gay populations in the world, we still haven't legalized gay marriage.
The Pride Parade has gotten a rap for being all trannies and boas, and don't worry, there's plenty of that (one weekend night at Venus Diner is all you need to see that), but you'll also find popped collars and docksiders, skinny jeans and Fedoras, flip flops and college tees. In other words, there is no one way to categorize this event: It's young, old, gay, straight, bisexual, and transgender.
For more information on where to watch or how to be a supporter and march, visit http://www.nycpride.org/images/oomfinal.pdf. One of this year's grand marshals is Cleve Jones, portrayed by Emile Hirsch in one of the best movies of 2008/2009, "Milk".
A special shout out the many FF friends marching tomorrow. Sorry I won't be able to join!
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