Happy Pride Day from San Francisco!
Marc and I woke up very late today and lunch didn't really happen until half past two in the afternoon. We decided to try out a highly rated Thai restaurant on Larkin Street after watching Check Please Bay Area on KQED this morning. Lo and behold, the restaurant was a mere two blocks away from the Civic Center where a huge thick crowd had gathered to party and celebrate Pride a day in advance. From there we decided to see what went on at the Castro, the epicenter of gay culture in the city. We just walked it and we passed by very trendy Hayes Valley along the way. This is what we found.
The Civic Center was full of people, very full. One thing I have observed though. This Pride Day celebration has long ceased to be a solely gay event. People, gay and straight, have together been coming and joining in the fun. What a change from the very first time I witnessed this event twenty five years ago.
This rainbow flag definitely flew high and proud over the Castro and Market Streets today.
The Castro had not yet been closed to traffic when we arrived. By the time we left, however, city policemen and other law enforcers had already blocked the street enabling the revelers to celebrate freely not just on the sidewalks but on the street as well. Can you see?
Even San Francisco's City Hall was all lit for this special day.