Tons of Happiness in SF's Gay Pride Parade
The quintessential flag of the gay community worldwide
Today was without a shadow of a doubt a very, very happy day in San Francisco. People here have been in party mode for several days now and this day seems to be the culmination of all celebrations. Men, women, straight, gay, and all those who cared came to the City by the Bay to celebrate San Francisco's Gay Pride. News reports expected 1.5 million visitors to come to the city today and from the looks of it, it may have even been more.
The crowds gathered up and down and on both sides of Market Street to watch the parade this year.
Over the years, the Gay Pride Parade in San Francisco has been a mixture of politics, marketing, mardi gras, and party. This year's parade was no exception. For the first time in its history, there were men from the US Armed Forces recruiting would be soldiers among the gay community.
Unlike the very first time I saw the parade in person back in the early 1990's, there has definitely been less and less show of skin since. In fact, there was very little of it. I bet there were more nude people in the wacky San Francisco Bay to Breakers Marathon than the Gay Pride.
People cheer the participants of the parade.
Many tried to watch the parade from every vantage point imaginable. Many climbed light posts, some climbed trees, while others stood on top of trash cans that lined the sidewalks. These people watched from the luxury of the 5 star Four Seasons Hotel along Market Street.
There were many politicians who graced the event. The truly important San Franciscans who work on the Federal and State level were present. There was Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic Minority Leader in the US House of Representatives and Gavin Newsom, former San Francisco Mayor and currently CA Lieutenant Governor, who allowed all gay marriages in San Francisco in 2004.
San Francisco Supervisor Scott Wiener
I first heard of Mr. Wiener months ago as he spearheaded the drive to ban nudity in a very small park in the Castro. The gay residents of the area overwhelmingly supported him for it.
Who can this character be?
Presence of companies was strong too. United, Virgin America, Kaiser Permanente, and more were there. Some were there to do advertising, of course.
One of the grand marshalls of the parade
Now that many gay people are getting married, some lawyers have begun wondering if the newly weds needed a PRE-NUP.
If I were to get married, I certainly would get a pre-nup. I just have to protect the millions of dollars I have made from public school teaching. They are all stashed away in Switzerland and the Caribbean Islands, away from the hands of the IRS.
A yearly participant, these men who collect all things recyclable do a dance to the delight of onlookers
Message: Recycle, recycle, recycle
Parade Participant: Yeah, Hi!
Television coverage for the parade
Bare chested men on parade. They help produce a calendar just like the female characters in the British movie "Calendar Girls"
Jean Quan, the Mayor of neighboring city, Oakland, was there too.
Glimpses of the Mardi Gras courtesy of the Latin Community from the Mission
With Philippine actress and comedian, Ai Ai de las Alas. She was so gracious to pose and have her picture taken with me. She even thanked me for the gesture. Thank you to you Ai Ai!
A pretty girl standing on a trash bin making the heart sign with her hands as she enjoyed watching the parade
The San Francisco cable car
It was 2:30 pm, hours after the parade started mid morning and people, groups, and companies were still parading down Market Street. Marc and I left and grabbed a bite to eat in Westfield Mall. It was 3:30 pm when we finished eating and the parade was still going on. We actually didn't stay until it ended. We proceeded to the Civic Center where there were more celebrations.
We saw these two guys in costumes on the way to the Civic Center. Tourists were having their pictures taken with them and so did we. They were very friendly greeting everyone a very "Happy Pride".
Taken in a store on Hayes.
SF City Hall, this is where all the gay marriage ceremonies began in 2004 and have been happening since Monday this week.