Happy Pride!

Only after did I realize I caught none of the parade today. By the tie I made it downtown, I only had an hour before my volunteer shift with Sundance Saloon and I wanted to try to catch my dear friends who decided to get married today! It was on the QT because it was a spontaneous decision and they hadn't had a chance to tell their families yet. Not that this was terribly sudden...they've been together for over 20 years. I missed them in the line inside City Hall, but I was so glad to go inside and see all of the happy couples waiting. I particularly loved the tall, full-figued lesbian in a giant white wedding dress with her relatively tiny bride, and the truck-driver-looking, bull-of-a-man who wore a satin sash reading "Father of the Bride."

Seriously, I've been crying all week over stuff like this. So. Much. Joy.

The lines were long and the faces were excited. And even the City workers who had to work so much this week looked happy to do it and seemed party of the celebration.

Some folks were dressed up, some casual, and it was amazing to think as I saw some leave—certificate in hand—what a great big deal could be contained in such a small manilla envelope.

Outside the lower entrance (restricted to those seeking to get married), someone thoughtfully left their colorful "Just Married" sign, and many couples would pose with it as they left, and then put it back down for the next couple.












The Sundance Saloon stage was its usual joyous experience, made even better by the appearance and performance of my friends the LA Wranglers.














And a few performance clips (10-30 seconds each):






I was exhausted by the time I got home, but after a shower and a nap, Thomas encouraged me to step out again and while most of the Castro was too crowded and loud, we found a back table in Twin Peaks to wind down our celebrations. Again, thank you to the SFPD for not harassing passers by, but appropriately stopping the drunks throwing up or breaking stuff, and stopping the fist fights, and generally being visible to the gang-looking groups of young people who clearly had never been to the Castro before.




Oh yeah, LOVED my pride shirt! I had been saving it just for today.


Muppet Pride!

Pink Saturday 2013

Wow. Pink Saturday has gotten messier and messier. And if it's any indication, Pride Sunday will be a tragic mess. Pink Saturday is no longer a community event, no longer about pride, and no longer a coming together in solidarity as it is a massive gathering of non-community young people binge-drinking and behaving very, very badly.

The daytime, however, can still be much fun.








After the initial visiting about, Drew and I camped out on the edge at the Edge, and then tried to make our ways back home. I was grateful for the police presence, as kids were already breaking things, fighting, vomiting in the street, and generally trashing the neighborhood. I was ready to get out of there. Like the Halloweens of years passed, I missed the days when the party wasn't crashed nor the good feelings trashed. I was grateful to have had Wednesday's Day of Decision.

Here's the best way I can think to sum it up: Pink Saturday (and even Pride to some extent) has become like Saint Patrick's Day in Boston or New York: It is a public gathering of thousands of people who are not related to nor live near the community hosting it; the event has little regard for the reason it's happening; and it's become an excuse for early twenty-sometings to binge-drink all day and act with no regard for their surroundings or other people, while also attracting crime and violence. Trade in the green t-shirts and shamrocks for fairy wings and rainbow stockings and you've got Pink Saturday. Although I would guess there are more Irish people at a Saint Patrick's Day party than there were gay people in the Castro on Pink Saturday.

Considering the rampant bad costuming by the B&T kids I stared calling it Burning Man Lite.

Yes, I know I sound like a crotchety old man but really, these amateurs and uninitiated need to get off my lawn.

Another friend said this: "Pink Saturday is now just gaggles of annoying early-20-something straight girls in glitter and costumes who can't hold their liquor and have one gay friend they treat as an accessory." After some conversation we wondered how long before the predatory straight guys recognize this event as an easy rape hunting ground. Nothing to be proud of.

Prop. 8 Unconstitutional: The News Highlight Reel

From The Awesomes over at AFER:

show your love

Google/YouTube has changed the world.  They know it.  And they share it.

And I will cry every time.

can't get enough

The City is just electric this weekend.  The excitement in the air is crackling!

Another view of Civic Center, including the SF Opera House:

City of Love

I love SF!

I am SF.  SF is We.  Love!

we are family

The community celebration in the Castro was a beautiful love-fest.  I need to upload my pics.

However I don't think any of mine are as pretty as Brain Maier's:

closer to free!

I've always thought of this as a Pride song. Today more than ever.

http://youtu.be/WGho9tOIcbQ

Everybody wants to live like they want to live!
Everybody wants to love like that want to love!
Everybody wants to be closer to free!

Have a happy homo 10-11-12!

I don't have a walk-in closet as much as a walk-out closet.

Happy National Coming Out Day!

Pink Saturday

So far, it's already been an awesome Pride weekend. It's basically Mardi Gras for SF. And I've managed to avoid both (1) the insane crowds and (2) the insane.

Pride means a kajillion tourists

The Castro is already flooded with visitors. Friends reported that by lunchtime today the streets, bars, and shops were filling up.

last night I couldn't help but notice that the temporary items on display at the Walgreen's at the Gayest Corner on Earth is a good indicator of the level of tourists expected this weekend.  The shelves are stocked with goods only non-San Franciscans would rush in to buy.

Three different displays of rainbow flags on this aisle alone.  They are all over the store.  Go Pride.



Not one...but two different aisles for pink feather boas and rainbow beads:


(actually, there could have been more! It's not like I went exploring; I just passed these two walking to and from the ATM.)

And perhaps the most telling of the level of tourists expected this weekend: A solid rack of sweatshirts.


Cracks me up.

Happy Pride!


(Also, it cracks me up that one of the "big gay boa and beads" displays is next to the extensive wall of condoms and lubricants.)

Wish Me Away

Last night I caught the documentary of Country singer superstar Chely Wright's coming out called Wish Me Away last night at the Castro Theater (it is part of the Frameline Film Festival). I was pretty emotionally raw from the weeks at home and the really bad day upon returning and this Nashville coming out story really hit home. Good Lord I thought my coming out was fitful--this is epic Greek levels.




And it's a pretty excellent film. with some really excellent quotes and lines that sent the theater on a roar. I do wonder if the same lines get the same responses with other audiences. One of my favorite lines was from the Reverend and spiritual adviser to Chely who said of the Christian haters, "I've never known people meaner than those who are mean for Jesus." Amen.

And seeing it in the packed Castro theater was amazing. The crowd was 10% purely Frameline folks, 40% Country Bears and Sundancers, and 50% lesbians. I was struck last night by how many great women were there and many of my lesbian friends and acquaintances. And I lamented that fun gays and fun lesbians rarely hang out together.

There was a Q & A with Chely Wright afterwards, which was pretty awesome. And Dave Hayes and I both got to ask questions (and we both invited her to Sundance Saloon). I had my question ready, wondering of the great country music people who were interviewed, and footage of other people's shows donated (Oprah, Today etc.), which shows refused access to their footage and which people refused to be included (Brad Paisley was notably absent). As I held the microphone waiting my turn, I realized my question dwelled on the negative and quickly tried to come up with another one. What I really wanted to open with but forgot in the adrenaline was a comment on her leaving Nashville to come out, "Hi.  I grew up in Nashville and I visit all the time.  I just got back yesterday actually.  I love Nashville, but there's a reason I live in San Francisco."  I did make a point about the difference between the consumers and the labels, and with so many gay people working in the industry, and the labels full of gay producers and workers, and I noticed that Fletcher Foster was listed as a producer of the film—I asked if perhaps the labels in Nashville might be more supportive of her even if the country radio stations or rural fans were not.

Her answer was less rambling than the way I managed to get my question out but was still a little vague—basically the "commerce of country music" wins out and no one wants to either take a chance or grow a pair (my words). The documentary closes with text slides, one of which notes that as of 2011 Chely has not received any invitations from the country music community.   I find it hard to imagine that she was struck off the guest list of the CMA Awards but I guess so. That's just ridiculous. I can understand Joe Radio Show catering to the lowest mental denominator as they usually do, but the CMAs?  That shit is all gay. I wasn't a huge Chely Wright fan before but I am now.  I should note that her Wikipedia page includes that she was awarded the Top Female Vocalist of 1995 and has released seven studio albums on various labels, and has charted more than fifteen singles on the country charts.

I noticed in the credits she co-wrote a song with Brett James, whom I knew once upon a time back in Nashville with Clark parsons and Dean Miller and a bunch of other local songwriters/artists. I also remember hanging out with Brett's brother when he visited from NYC—who is rocking hot and also gay (we bonded over that as we clued in though neither of us were out yet). I wanted to ask but never would, "I see you've written songs with Brett James. Ever met his brother?"

Nashvillians avoid celebrity, and never bother them in public as it's just bad manners.  I may be social and love a silly photo op as much as the next guy, but I hate the stand in line and bother people thing unless that's what they're there for.  But I saw Dave hayes down front getting his picture taken with Chely and I wanted one too.  And I wanted to show my solidarity in my flood relief We Are Nashville shirt which I thought was pretty awesome.




FUN!

Followed by friends at 440, way too many JDs on an empty stomach, then some regrettable drama with a friend which I hope faded with his blood alcohol levels.

Pride Calendar

Okay, I don't have time to put together a complete Pride-themed What's Going On this week, but I imagine anyone reading this (1) has no plans and are better off reading any of the many guides to Pride out there and they should check Gloss, the Bay Times or the Bay Area Reporter depending on their tastes, or (2) dude, you already live here, have a life, and already have all of your Pride plans made.  Or your straight and have completely unrelated plans.  Perhaps you would like to paint my bathroom.

I have always loved Pink Saturday (Pride tag), but the non-community element has fucked that up just like they did Halloween.  Being gay is so popular we can't even have our own block parties anymore, but we also can't get equal protection under the law.  Yay rah.  So while Pink Saturday is trying to fly under the radar, the no open booze rule will be strictly enforced, and the crowds are expected to be massive, which to me is the opposite of what Pink Saturday is about—the community coming together.  I'll either stay at a friend's Castro home Pink Saturday party, or head to the Hotel Witcomb for the Sundance Saloon Country Pride dance party.  Actually, considering my "save like Jesus" plan, I should not pay for any parties this weekend,  And save the jankle for dancing outside all day Sunday if I can.

So, while clearly not an exhaustive list, here are my Pride plans in case you are looking for fun ideas:

Wednesday (tonight):
• Frameline Film Festival presents Wish Me Away, the documentary about country music star Chely Wright's coming out.  7:00 pm at the Castro theater.  Groups from the rodeo, sf bears, and Sundance Saloon heavily in attendance.

Thursday:
• Pride Weekend KickoffParty and Show hosted by Gallilea and the Empress Saybeline at Marlena's
• Farewell party to the gorgeous in body and soul and San Franciscan nightlife nearly naked hottie regular Julian at the Powerhouse.

Friday:
• The Anita Cocktail Hour at the Rrazz Room (It promises to be a great show, but I have decided to save the cash, even though there are half price tickets at Goldstar!  Go!)
• Bearracuda Pride Party at Public Works
• I'm not going but you might enjoy getting Steamed at the Powerhouse

Saturday:
• Pink Saturday party in the Castro for the queers.  Non-queers please go to the Marina or the Mission or something.  If you have to take BART or a bridge to get here, don't.
• Sundance Saloon's Country Pride dance at the Hotel Whitcomb

Sunday PRIDE
I'll be working the boot check at the Sundance stage 1:30-3:00 pm.  Dancing afterwards, then crashing.  There are a slew of Pride night parties.  Pick one.  I'm taking a hot shower and getting take out.  Or making out with you.

Nota Bene for Pride attendees:  If you have a membership to the DeYoung/Legion of Honor/Asian Art Museums, bring your membership card for access to free bag check and nice clean, air conditioned bathrooms at the Asian Art Museum which is the eastern border building of the Civic Center/United Nations Plaza/Pride Celebration.

Update: See Violet Blue's Sexy SF Pride Guide 2011 at the SF Appeal!

Welcome to June

Pride festivities are kicking off.


I love June in San Francisco.

country pride

There's a sausage joke in there somewhere.

I finally went through a batch of photos the other night and got around to uploading some pics from this year's Pride. Muni again was a big mess of FAIL (two hours to get five stops? An influx of a half a million commuters on a Sunday and Muni doesn't plan for it?), so spent most of Pride Sunday volunteering at the book check at the Sundance Saloon stage. It was a hot and sunny Pride, as usual, and a lot of fun.

......

......

Happy 2010 Pride!

It's be a rainbow of June events and SF Pride weekend is fast approaching. There is a lot to celebrate and many ways to do it.

And while I'm on the topic of Pride celebrations, I'd like to celebrate the redesign of two local websites the Out and About shouldn't be without, both by the absolutely amazing Suzan Revah:

The Original Fag Hag and Love My Gays.

And we love you too!

And in the Pride Prayer of JoeMyGod:
They wish we were invisible. We're not. Let's dance.

Happy Pride

While there was some anti-gay actions (some a-holes burned the holocost memorial, seriously?) this weekend, Pride was a big honking success all the way around. I love Pink Saturday, but now it's gotten waaaaay too much for me. Like Halloween without the straights and gang violence, but twice as many looky-loos, bridge and tunnels sets, and body-mashing mayhem. And forget trying to get a drink. No BYO, and hour-long lines. Or insane covers and over-priced offerings (Roma got us into Trigger, only to pay $40 for three drinks in small cups.)

Most of the Pride scene was incredibly wholesome. How can anyone,no matter how right wing, watch cowboys couples-dance and not feel the love?

Even with the roasting sun giving way to lots of bared muscled flesh, this Pride seemed even more to be about family. Our family.

.

I volunteered at the gates for the Rodeo for a little while, then spent the rest of the day at the Sundance Saloon stage. Tales later when I have time to tell them.

Yahoo and Happy Pride!

And shout to Nick.

Avon calling

Love Labour's Lost, Act 5, Scene 2: A heavy heart bears not a nimble tongue.

Slogan waiting for a gay pride t-shirt: I heart heavy bears with nimble tongues.

Labors of Love, Act Now, Scene: Leather.

SFPD threatens Pink Saturday

I love Pink Saturday, even more than Pride itself. Apparently, the SFPD has been jerking around the Sisters for months and continue to delay/deny a street closure permit for Pink Saturday.

Pink Saturday is really my Pride event. It is a total community celebration, like Halloween without the costumes, messiness, tourists, straights, gawkers, and trouble.

And the SFPD better be prepared anyway—70,000 to 100,000 people are going to show up whether they assist in the organizing or not.

Happy Pride 2008

There was lots to be proud about this year.

I don't have any particularly saucy tales from Saturday and Sunday— it was just a long weekend of intense fun.

First off, the annual best pride party ever: Pink Saturday with David and Sean.

Shilpa and Sean



David and Wilson

Shilpa and I love these guys, and were so excited about this party we spent Friday afternoon (after the zoo and before debauchery) shopping for a big basket of pink fun to bring our hosts. Prizes included a pink martini glass beach towel, pink tea towels, a flashing pink rubber duck that spent most of the party swimming in my cocktail, a set of HoMo a Go-Go CDs and special edition Pink Saturday Be Pink and Be Proud CD, soda, red wine remover (I recalled an incident from last year), and best of all, pink vodka (pink lemonade flavored) I ordered just for the occasion.

As always, the people and the party were much fun. New friends and old. I'm Just Sayin' regulars included Jim Myers, Jeff Javits, Coco Flores, Brendan Geary and RMJ.

David, Brendan and Jim

RMJ, never one to date domestic, arrived with the lovely Juan Carlos.

Always playful fare, but painful to bid farewell, were Darien and Matthew (you may remember them from such posts as Two out of three ain't bad). They moved to D.C. on Monday. Sigh.

Darien, Shilpa and Wilson



Shilpa and Matty

New friends were fun too. Particularly this guy (on the right):

We've talked several times in bars around town and it was nice to see him in a more intimate social setting. I think his name is Matt, but we were pretty well in the bag by then so I'm not sure. Any advice or biographical information from readers would be welcome. And oh yeah, speaking of intimate settings, Eyes Across a Crowded Room was there, but entirely cordial, if not clinical.

I had known he was coming (saw it on the evite) but did not comment on the blog in case he and/or david were checking on on that front. Hot Tony, who is called Hot Tony for a reason, offered to be my pretend boyfriend and paw all over me. I almost accepted, if not just to be pawed for hours by Hot Tony. But I really know him too well to pull off amorous. Slutty I might be able to do though. Maybe I should have taken him up on that...

And on the right in this one is Richard.

He was exceptionally entertaining, and I hear he had an adventure after the party. If it's fit to blog, I will. With his permission of course. Or perhaps someone (you know who) would like to tell that tale in the comments?

Pink Saturday Flickr set

Pride Sunday

I was missed the parade for sleeping in and recovering from Pink Saturday, but got to Civic Center in time to check my boots before my shift at the Sundance Saloon stage and mill about for a couple of hours visiting with all my faggy friends.

Missing from this revelry was Ian Hall, friend of Shawn Case (who is BF to blog regular Kevin) visiting from Ohio and whom I would have loved to play Pride with. Shouts to Ian, who was lost in the throng.

Again, no particular narrative to impart, just photos of the day:



Me and Jimbo



My Pride Boys



My lovin'



My Cow-Pokes



And thank God, not my tan line.
This was just a fellow reveler taking the N-Judah home. That's gonna hurt.

Pink Sunday indeed.

Pride Flickr set.