Amazing Pride

Today we joined with something like 100,000 people to celebrate Pride Fest in Columbus. We drove the 90 miles from home in torrential rains, only to find the sun shining on the parade route. We actually rode in the parade, waving and interacting with people lined up 8 or 9 deep for the entirety of the nearly two-mile long distance through the heart of our state's capital. Kids, parents, couples of all combinations, elders, people of every race, people with disabilities, people of every shape, size, and description, and lots and lots of great dogs -- It was a wonderful celebration of community, inclusivity, and self-determination.


The event, sponsored by Stonewall Columbus, is a joyful, open, wonderful celebration for the GLBT and Q community, and allied groups and organizations.



We had a wonderful time. By the time we arrived at the end of the parade route, we were thrilled and energized by the whole experience. For us, it was another opportunity to be in a community setting where we are not considered "odd, strange, or wrong." For the space of time we spent in that throng, we were just people, enjoying the day, enjoying the crowd, enjoying one another -- celebrating our lives together with a host of others doing the same thing.



We did encounter a few protesters scattered along the parade route -- church groups out shouting "scripture" to back their hatred. They were, for the most part, simply ignored -- allowed to do their thing, and simply given no satisfaction in the way of response. One of the people who rode in the car with us was stunned to see "Christians spewing such hatred." Sigh. There were some great, creative approaches to "answering" these attacks. One fellow stood next to a ranting Bible thumper with a sign that read, "My boyfriend is a right-wing, fundamentalist, wack-job." Cute.