NYC Gay Pride 2016: Gays Are People Too.
After doing some work in the morning, I decided to make my own t-shirt for a Gay Pride outfit.
I had gone with Scooter to Lot-Less on lower Broadway and he pointed out a three-pack of U.S. Army tees for $5.99. They turned out to have a perfect fit and soft fabric.
I was inspired by some images Van sent me from the 1977 San Francisco Gay Parade, where a poster read “GAYS ARE PEOPLE TOO.”
I thought doing some hand-lettering with the phrase on a t-shirt would add to the retro spirit I was evoking, one that however seems perfectly contemporary in the face of the recent Orlando event.
Van had gotten me a pair of Memphis-like exercise shorts from Marshall’s in Neptune, where we had gone with Kelly and Henry two weeks ago. I love how they match my Patricia Field clogs, which have become one of my favorite shoes.
Combined with the vintage tomato red Coach bag Joel gave me, teal blue pava straw I had worn the day before to Enrique's, I was ready to see the parade. Michael said the outfit needed some sort of rosary, so I opted for my Creed Sterling strand with Swarovski beads, which let the message read clearly through the clear color. I thought the pava and rosary would be a subtle homage to the Puerto Ricans who had died in Orlando.
I met with Scooter and we stopped briefly to visit Ann in her laundromat, and Lenny was also there. I brought Ann a Coke and gave it to her after having bought a Bobby Vinton U.S. 7-inch for “Mr. Lonely” with picture sleeve at the flea market next door, which I thought Tony would love.
On my way to 15th Street and Fifth Avenue, where Bubi and Paul were watching the parade, I ran into Jimmy Kaston and we had a lovely visit, where we talked about performing and an Elsa Schiaparelli biography which he thought I might enjoy. Always so special seeing Jimmy!
I got to 15th Street swiftly and joined Bubi and Paul. The parade was longer than I ever remember it being—lasting beyond 7 p.m. It was heartwarming to see all the spirited people go by. I got lots of comments on my t-shirt, and was often asked to pose for group selfies, which was great fun.
Tony had marched with Glenn in the Gays Against Guns contingent, one of the first groups to march, so he was already home. He texted, and went to visit him after saying my goodbyes. We visited in his apartment and went to Sichuan East for Chinese food, which was delicious as always. By the time we were done eating, the sun had gone down almost completely.
We wanted to see the fireworks, so we walked towards the West Side Highway. Although it was cordoned off, we were able to get into the parking lot by Houston Street as Tony parks his car there and has an ID. We went right in and felt downright royal in having the huge space all to ourselves with an unobstructed view the fireworks right in front. Boats were stationed nearby, full of people seeing the show, and when it was over, they all blew their horns.
It was lovely walking back to Tony’s and seeing the One World Trade Center antenna lit up in rainbow color, as well as the Empire State Building. Tony and I commented we would want to live nowhere else but New York City. I made a pit stop at his place and gave him the Bobby Vinton record, which he loved and put on his shelf.
Afterwards, I stopped by Charlie Lum’s house, where his traditional Gay Pride/Birthday party was winding down. Hardly anyone recognized me as they hadn’t seen me before my hair makeover and it was fun surprising fae friends with a new presence and catching up.
