By L.K. Regan
Published Jun 30, 2008

Well, Pride month—the official June celebration of all things gay—ended this weekend with big bangs of celebration in many metropolitan areas, plus violence elsewhere that shows us how far we still have to go. Here's a brief wrap-up of this weekend's Pride events.

For those who live in big, liberal cities, Pride may seem like just another big party weekend or even an outdated political concept. But elsewhere in the world where gay rights are still in their infancy, Pride parades have sparked controversy. In the Czech Republic, the country's first-ever Pride parade was disrupted by some 150 protesters, who instigated violence that injured 20 people. Five hundred people gathered for the event, which was also attended by tennis star Martina Navratilova, a native of the Czech Republic. And, in Bulgaria, 150 police protected an equal number of marchers from attacks by right-wing and skinhead protesters who threw stones and Molotov cocktails.

Clearly, the former Soviet block has a way to go in terms of celebrating (or even tolerating) GLBT pride. But no doubt they can learn by observing their neighbors. Other European nations had huge, violence-free parades that drew record numbers of participants. In Paris, more than half a million people attended the city's dramatic parade, among them the city's openly gay mayor, Bertrand Delanoë. In Berlin, the 30th annual Pride parade went forward despite falling rain—and, for the first time, followed a route that began in the formerly Soviet eastern half of the city. And, across the Atlantic, Toronto's Pride parade featured for the first time members of the Canadian Armed Forces, who marched in full uniform among the feathers and sequins. Now that's progress.

In San Francisco—the original gay mecca—Pride was given a new intensity by the state's recent legalization of gay and lesbian marriages. The hugely popular Dykes on Bikes—a group of Pride regulars—dressed in wedding gowns in celebration of the law and tossed bouquets into the crowd. The city set up a booth opposite City Hall to hand out information on same-sex marriages (City Hall is closed on Sundays, so unfortunately there were no actual ceremonies performed during the parade). And San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom received cheers and applause as he passed along the parade route: It was Newsom who put California on track to recognize gay marriages by opening City Hall to such unions in 2004, until a California court ordered the city to stop.

The sheer scale and popularity of the Parisian Pride and San Francisco events shouldn't let even the most jaded of us forget that the mere fact of having Pride events is a remarkable accomplishment in much of the world. In New Delhi, Calcutta, and Bangalore, Pride parades were attended by hundreds of participants—despite the fact that homosexuality is still illegal in India. Events like this serve as a reminder that Pride is about more than dressing up—it's an annual, global coming out party.

gsh1964 wrote:

I came out 5 years ago. Every year I have gone to the Kansas City Pride. Last year, I also attended St. Louis Pride. This last weekend I experienced San Francisco Pride. I'm really having mixed emotions about the Pride events. Yes, it is amazing how far we have come in 50 years, but every city I have gone to, it's the same thing. Walking around aimlessly looking at the same booths, hoping to get a chance to see another hot guy. Some of the younger guys don't really know what pride means. They have never heard of Stonewall. At the beginning when I came out, Gay Pride meant something different, but now it has lost it's meaning. I'm not sure I will ever attend another pride event.

Jul 02 2:08 AM

Msamuelr wrote:

hey its not officially over Atlantas is this coming up weekend

Jul 01 6:55 PM

cadudesf wrote:

For the first time ever in my life, I got to march in Mayor Gavin Newsom's contingent during this year's pride. The significant impact of this year's pride with gay marriage, the energy was certainly high and jubilant as I marched down Market Street, witnessing the immense applause and overwhelming "Thank You, Gavin!" from on-lookers who lined the parade route. I mean you could really feel it and it was the most amazing experience. On a smaller note, the contingent was wearing a T-shirt with the words "Team Newsom - Pride 2008" with the two zeros coupled together like wedding bands. I'm proud to say I also designed those shirts. But even more exciting were the photographs I achieved from that day of the Mayor, his contingent, and this proud day.

Jul 01 5:11 PM

ASUbusy wrote:

I went to NYC pride one of the best weekends ever!

Jul 01 8:19 AM

muscletatt2 wrote:

I went to pride in LA, my second year, this year and once again the parade and the festival was great, we danced our asses off. It's really clear to me now what pride is really about. Being able to be who you are, whoever that might be. Acceptance is the corner stone and that is what pride is all about. Being able to accept other's differences show's growth. It's taken me some time to understand that but now that I do I view it in a whole new light. Be proud of who you are, God dosen't make mistakes...Jeff

Jul 01 2:27 AM

kencarson wrote:

I like the partying and fun associated with Pride. I just wish more focus was thrown to how Pride began. Like, the marches in front of Independence Hall, followed by Stonewall, or the amazing leaps and bounds ACT UP made for our community. These days, I feel like the younger gay population doesn't appreciate what had to happen, and what did happen before them so that they can have the freedom to walk down the street hand in hand with their loved one, not only on Pride, but everyday.

Run-on sentences are fun :)

Jul 01 2:16 AM

tarheel80 wrote:

Pride is a gay holiday. Getting drunk out of your mind is fine every now and then.

Jul 01 1:37 AM

CarlosEdBrazil wrote:

In Brasília, capital of Brazil about 35 000 people (according to the organizers) or 10 000 people (according to the military police) went to the parade. Well, pretty different numbers, I know. But anyway, it was really fun! This year, the British Embassy in Brasília flew the rainbow flag side by side the Union Jack flag in support of equality and diversity.Congratulations to the FCO for this supporting initiative! The LGBTS Parade was a success!

Jul 01 1:21 AM

leaozinho wrote:

Think about Pride!

This morning, I took a cab into manhattan from Brooklyn and passed Capitale where the Saint at Large after party was. at 8:30 am, there were many party goers on the sidewalk in the morning sun wearing little clothing and likely tired and partied. A scene of idleness amongst the normal work a day monday morning chinatown. Then, the cab continued to the east village where a man who was drunk or high or both was totally out of it and clinging to a friend or his friend was holding him up so he wouldn't fall or stumble into traffic on the Bowery. The taxi driver pointed him out to me.

some people are still getting injured and abused for the right to be openly gay, and then others squander that hard begotten right on partying.

Jul 01 12:36 AM

Quarko wrote:

It's seems like gay pride is becomming synonymous of trouble. Here at Brazil, The Sao Paulo annual Gay Parade ended the same way.
What is going around our gay fellas? Why the actual gay attitude in parades like this getting so disturbance?
We really need to think about that!

Jun 30 10:40 PM