Sunday was the annual Gay Pride march in Manhattan. Milton and I attended with cameras in tow. It was an exuberant celebration on the heels of the Supreme Court’s recent decision overturning the Domestic Marriage Act as well as clearing the way for same sex couples to resume having the right to wed in California. The victorious DOMA plaintiff, 84-year-old Edie Windsor, was one of the parade’s three grand marshals. Seeing her was quite a high.
This is also a mayoral election year in New York City. Christine Quinn, the openly lesbian Speaker of the New York City Council, is a mayoral candidate who has recently received Edie’s endorsement. Quinn is leading in the polls today, but former Congressman Anthony Weiner is gaining on her and possibly Public Advocate Bill de Blasio has an outside chance, too. It’s a long way between June and November.
Aside from politicians avidly courting the LGBT voter, the parade was also heavy with product placement in hot pursuit of the LGBT dollar. Big corporations that participated include Delta Airlines, AT&T, Citibank and Coca Cola. Macy’s, Whole Foods and Kiehls had a strong presence, too. Vitamin Water had some poor schmuck or schmuck-ette dressed like a bottle of water march in the steam heat. Overall, the parade was primarily about LGBT people compelled to cheer their recent victories, strut their stuff and feel good about whom they are.
On a personal note, I am very pleased to announce that I experienced my own triumph this year. I did not suffer any further hearing loss, step in any fetid puddles or deep fry any body part, all mishaps I have suffered in past years while covering this annual event with Milton for Lame Adventures. Naturally, I half-expected to find myself swallowed by the sidewalk, but that didn’t happen, either. Therefore, I’ll let the pictures we shot tell the rest of the story.
Pride and victory are in the air.
Then, there is this woman who let it all hang out for the duration.
Feeling pumped waiting for the march to start.
Dykes on bikes kick it off!
The good hair day twins.
The annual showing of balloons.
Milton thought this chap’s leotard was Dorothy Hamil-inspired. His flower made me crave sunflower seeds.
The Lame Adventures award for Best Sign.
Grand Marshall Harry Belafonte!
Grand Marshall Edie Windsor in hat with red band.
A literally bird-brained bloke we’ve seen every year at Pride.
New York Senator Chuck Schumer.
Rainbow Brite.
Edie Windsor fans literally and figuratively.
Product placement.
LGBT center float.
Mr. Short Shorts front and center.
Family guys i.e., Mr. Long Shorts.
Big cheers for Governor Cuomo!
Rainbow dress.
Lesbian moms.
Blonde ambition.
Kiehls float.
Kiddie pride.
Together at last: scooter and bare bazoom pride.
Paddles and pads shriek, “NFL!”
Girl pride.
Butch dyke pride.
Brokeback Mountain …The Neo-realist version.
Shouting pride.
Why walk when you can ride the recline-o-cycle.
Clapping wilted sombrero pride.
Milton calls this “What the fuck…?”
New York City police commissioner Ray Kelly.
Gay cop color guard.
Gay firefighters and EMT’s.
Cop ordering phone booth perching pals to dismount.
Yes and yes.
Attitude.
Of course, Scout Troop 69!
Prancing with friend.
The Flaggots are back!
Bi Request — offering something for just about everyone.
Milton: “Not everyone should copy Tarzan.”
Back to regularly scheduled programming: pretty boys.
Russians are coming.
Latino pride.
Eye-catching.
Feathered friends.
Exuberance!
Just the place to find Harem Boy and Mad Hatter.
“Let’s put on a show!”
This magic moment.
Boy marching with Rainbow Girl.
Go Magazine: stick around — meow!
The Big Gay Apple is here!
Lady bugs!
Contrast in styles.
In lieu of feathers, rainbow tube balloons.
Marching with what else? A live snake.
Equality marchers.
Nice hat.
Nice shoes.
Strike a pose.
Shake that thing!
Well accessorized.
Perfect day to wear a bikini and feathers.
The Golden Girls have arrived!
Happy in tape and feathers.
Tribute to grandma.
Weiner!
Mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner.
Drummer girl.
Indonesian pride.
Happy together.
Rainbow flag ears? This guy’s get-up irritated Milton.
Not housework attire: feathered mask and rainbow cape.
Bustier.
Hold that pose.
Feathers.
Having it and flaunting it.
Moving on from marriage to fracking?
Public Advocate and mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio.
Thanks for sharing.
Madonna, watch out! Bearadonna’s here!
The Log Cabin Republicans are here — all three of them.
Hula hoop lady.
Mayoral candidate Christine Quinn in orange slacks with her spouse Kim Catullo.
Massive showing of Quinn supporters or as Milton said, “It’s like she’s Madonna.”
Gotcha shot of Milton and me.
Lame Adventures 