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| My bank teller..... just kidding |
But in just nine (9!!) days, I will be at World Pride in Toronto for five exciting days and nights. It will be my very first "big city" Pride and I plan to savour every moment. Gay overload!
But I have a momentous, life-altering decision to make regarding the World Pride Parade on Sunday, June 29. I need your advice!
Would you rather? .....
A: Watch the Parade as a spectator on the street and enjoy the sight of hundreds of semi-naked hotties walking by?
OR
B: March as a participant in the Pride Parade itself?* I've had a direct invitation to join a contingent of Pride organizers from cities across Canada. We'd either be riding their float or walking alongside, all wearing matching T-shirts. * I could probably walk in Toronto Pride 2015 with this group as well.
Decisons, decisions....
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Will you know anyone you'll be walking with? Will you be able to watch the parade with anyone you know? Either choice you make you'll see tons of men you'll either be walking by them or they will be walking by you. I think overall you'll have a better experience watching and mingling and being able to set your own agenda then if you march. How long is the parade? I'm sure it's fairly long so your commitment could be 5 hours or so. Watch.
ReplyDeleteI MIGHT know one person from my home town in our group of walkers. I am perfectly okay watching the parade by myself although I'm sure that, with very little effort, I arrange some company for the afternoon. (I'm semi-arranged that already)
DeleteThe Parade will be a very long one and I agree, walking in it might become tiring and tiresome.
can you do a bit o both?
ReplyDeletePS - we have TD bank down here; one branch is 1.5 km from my house!
I never thought of starting out as a marcher and then joining the crowd. Food for thought!
DeleteAbout the TD Bank: cool! I have been with the Toronto Dominion bank since my first account at 13 years old! Canadian banks are the ranked by the G-* as the soundest in the world and they've made great inroads into the US market.
I would go for marching in the parade.
ReplyDeleteBy participating you will make new friends and "family" (that spelt g.a.y). I've been to SF Pride; I was fortunately their on business. Although I really enjoyed watching, after it was over, it was over. Being in the parade has so many benefits. You may het to actually meet (and caress) some of those hoties :-)
Yes, I would meet some new friends by marching. An excellent point!
DeleteAs to the "hotties" as fellow marchers, everyone I would be marching with will not be wearing Speeds or will not be nearly-naked. As professionals, we will be obliged to be fully dressed and most will be somewhat older.
march at the head of the parade. that way, you get to see everyone - all the spectators as you walk past, and all the participants as they reach the end
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure which position our group will be marching in ... be we won't be at the front! That spot will be reserved for some world-famous gay celebrity.
DeleteI remember my first time and watching the parade for the first time too. So amazing! I would love for you to catch that pride especially for world pride. If it is your first time as you said, watch the parade!!!! You can walk in it any time but there is only one world pride ever! Unless you are lucky Vancouver gets it years from now. Then next year or two you can walk it as I have done that too and it was amazing. Twice, I bet you will not watch it alone as you make friends easy. Suggestion, watch the parade standing on the west side of the street, then the sun will be behind you. Load the sunscreen on the back of your neck. Have fun!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all your fantastic, experienced advice. I look forward to seeing you during my World Pride time in Toronto! I will be following your advice, Rick, and will text with some more questions.
Deletelol Rick, I think you'll do just fine on your own, without my lucky horseshoes!
DeleteMy "luck", as you call it, just comes from being extremely self-confident, happy and from treating all my men with respect.
Participation makes more of a statement and, I think, helps promote the cause of equality around the world (believe me, the US needs the help!). But, in the end, you gotta do what will make you happy.
ReplyDeleteYes, this trip is all about me, me, me! I'd done lots to promote LGBTQ equality with my school involvement in the GSAs and my work as our Pride organizer and volunteer. It might be nice just to enjoy the Pride Parade spectacle as a bystander.
DeleteYou are right about this and he probably will be more involved after watching this year. He is that kinda man!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rick! You're too kind!
DeleteI could argue it both ways. Participate and make contacts with involved LGBT activists from all over that might bear fruit down the line; Watch and be more at ease, have access to lots of fun guys, not be too exhausted at the end of the day to get up to some 1 on 1 (or on 2 or more) celebration. Whichever way you decide, have a great time!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Will!
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