We were somewhere under this rainbow.
Between the two of us, Milton and I have attended many Pride celebrations through the years, but following Friday night’s historic same-sex marriage vote by the New York State Senate, neither of us had ever experienced a celebration quite like the glorious one we witnessed from the sidelines on Sunday. The gratitude expressed to Governor Andrew Cuomo for completing the work that his predecessor, former Governor David Patterson, had started to legalize same-sex marriage in the Empire State, was expressed throughout. Andrew Cuomo is a hero who has earned the vote of every LGBT New Yorker forever.
Gratitude.
Milton and I met at our usual undisclosed meeting place in the West Village. Everything seemed to be going according to plan until we were pounding the pavement en route to staking out a good picture-taking spot. I stepped off a curb and one of my gunboats landed in a fetid puddle of garbage soup. I was generously splashed with toxic stink but fortunately my attire was not stained. I simply smelled like I was wearing a fragrance that could have been called Vomit by Chanel.
This year, the turnout seemed much larger than in earlier years. There was more of everyone in both the ultra inclusive crowd and the march itself. There were gay people, straight people, oldsters, youngsters, drag queens, butch and femme types of both genders, punt dogs, families with children and couples of all persuasions. The lovely warm weather was the perfect compliment to the celebrating. We never once felt like we might collapse from heat prostration.
There was also an unseen heroine at Sunday’s march who was there in spirit. She’s Lady Gaga and her anthem, Born This Way, blasted triumphantly from so many of the floats. Milton hailed:
Milton (hailing): That’s the song of a generation!
I pondered his assessment and groaned.
Me (groaning): We had Material Girl for ours.
Clearly, the country is moving in a progressive direction. Posted below are some of the over 1,200 pictures Milton and I shot of this year’s victory march. Enjoy!
Waiting for the march to start.
The traditional kickoff featuring Dykes on Bikes leading the way.
Throng of jubilant marriage equality supporters marching, including one wearing her pet snake as a scarf.
Victorious marriage equality float.
Grand Marshalls, It Gets Better Project creators, Dan Savage & Terry Miller.
Gay man's burden.
Jubilation!
Flag bearer.
Grumpy the Care Bear.
Senator Chuck Schumer
NYPD marching band.
New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly
Easy riders.
Hand in hand in awe of the crowd.
FDNY couple.
New mother pride.
Five decades ready to make it legal.
Super soaker boys.
Boxers with a fighting chance.
Milton's dreamboat financial advisors.
Can your financial advisor do this?
Hand in hand.
Fitness king.
Rainbow attire.
Uber rainbow attire.
Rainbow diva.
Naked Cowgirl and Friends.
Asian pride boys.
Asian pride girls.
What Milton and I will wear to 2012 Pride.
Handsome scooter kid.
Topless joy.
Leg up on pride.
Got it and flaunting it.
If anyone's missing feathers, they're over here.
Nice hats.
Nice boots.
Winged victory.
Dominique Strauss Kahn's nemesis*, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr.
*Not anymore!
Great view.
New York State Senator Tom Duane and his spouse Louis Webre.
Rainbow flag bearer.
Thanks for sharing.
Modern family.
Dads and daughter.
Pedal power.
Milton and I have tried to do this at home with me peddling and he pole dancing. He told me his concussion wasn't that bad.
The reliably lovely Juno.
Marching with the Yorkie.
Marching with the Dachshund.
Punk Batman.
Princess Bear.
Showing off their little girl side.
Banner says all.
Leatherman and friend.
Latin women marching.
Latin guys marching.
Evita's here!
Ready to be wed.
Super ready to be wed.
Hey sailor!
Together at last, blue bikini undies and white chiffon.
Say cheesecake!
Happy dance.
Daughter of Divine: Miss Liberty with attitude!
News to us.
Happy face.
Pretty dudes.
Dignity
Good question.
Good observation.
Shake it.
Michael Lucas of Lucas Entertainment waving Israel's flag.
Blue masked man.
Living color.
Lamba Legal.
Lesbian action heroines.
Bears.
Quakers marching.
Affection.
Hedda Redda.
Whistle blower.
Shirtless smile. Yes, that is a penismobile in the backgound.
Superhero pride.
Turkey baster son with his lesbian mom.
Daughter proud to have a lesbian mom.
Hula hoopster.
Sandwich board pride.
Interesting concept: sobriety.
Viking man.
Viking woman.
Stonewall law students.
Silver Surfer's spawn.
Euphoria!
Subtle signage.
As the saying goes, little flag, big smile.
Nice glasses.
Big wheels.
Big stilts.
Out and proud journalist Jane Velez Mitchell.
Dancing duet of joy.
Muscle Beach Fabio.
Pride and joy.
Post pride water canons in the Hudson at sunset.
Big bang fireworks over Hudson.
Lame Adventures 