"She had a boyfriend that looked like a girlfriend"

Pride celebrations may not get a lot of attention or press in most cities, but San Francisco...well, San Francisco does it right. There are film festivals and community events all week long, then this weekend is one big party - with one of the largest parades in the world. It's a sight to see...or so I've been told.

I've lived here in the Bay Area as a bi woman for 8 years, and I've never been to the parade. I've been to the Dyke March, the all-woman celebration and march, the day before. That's a fun thing to both march in and to stand on the sidelines and watch. But I'm someone who gets a bit clausterphobic in big crowds, so I've never been to the parade.

But this year, on Sunday, I'm planning to go. Well, more specifically, I'm planning to go to the celebration site at the end of the parade route, and wander around. It takes over several square blocks of the Civic Center area. I want to have a look and get the feel of the excitement. I want to be in queer community.

I know that this is somewhat in reaction to my dating men. I feel like that part of me has become somewhat invisible - unrecognized. I know that I pass. If you were to pass me on the street, I know that I look so straight and vanilla - conventional - that most people don't think twice. So there's that part of me that wants to just soak it all in. To let my unconventional nature be public for just one day.

Today...well, today I'll look conventional to the world. Silly world! SlowTalker is taking me to someplace where I will need to have sunscreen and a hat and my binoculars. He's being mysterious about the destination, though. So I'm off to prepare for my client this morning, then an adventure out in our silly world.

I'll try to remember to bring my camera, so I can get pictures tomorrow.

Happy Pride!