photo by Zoe Amos

BY ZOE AMOS
Lesbian.com

From AT&T to ZICO, businesses, non-profits, social clubs, local politicos, universities and more showed their LGBT support at the 40th Anniversary San Diego Pride Parade held on July 19, 2014, in the gay neighborhood of Hillcrest. Parade watchers were blessed with uncharacteristic cloudy skies as they celebrated each contingent as they walked, biked, danced, and performed their way along University Avenue and down Fifth toward the weekend Pride festival held in Balboa Park. LGBT organizations and their allies marched to cheers from the crowd, estimated at a record popping 400,000 plus attendees.

I stood at the corner where the parade began beneath the towering rainbow flag waving proudly at the aptly named Normal Street. Activities began with a roar as the San Diego Women’s Motorcycle Riders, fondly referred to as Dykes on Bikes, set the day in motion. The parade’s Grand Marshall featured Toni Atkins, newly-minted Speaker of the California State Assembly, the first out lesbian elected to this position. San Diego’s finest made an appearance as did members of the military, both active and retired.

Talk about good, clean fun, my favorite float was created by Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap, which featured a plastic-lined room filled with scantily-clad foam-covered dancers who frolicked to the strains of “YMCA.” This conscientious locally-based company handed out samples of their certified fair trade organic lavender coconut scented lotion. To the crowd’s delight, the float spewed fountains of foam high into the air like a giant, white rooster tail.

For over two hours, parade sponsors entertained us with disco, live music, flag and rifle pageantry, hula hoops, and more. Beauty queens and inspirational couples waved politely as they passed in convertible BMWs, and a model perched in a martini glass gestured flamboyantly to the crowd. Banners announced social statements, a credit union handed out rainbow wristbands, and coupons were dispersed to the crowd. Rainbow colors adorned people, their pets, balloons, classic cars, clothing, jewelry, and any available surface, making this colorful display a treat for the eyes. The air was positively charged with a celebratory vibe that fueled smiles and cheers. I could go on and on, but the photos tell the rest of the story.

photo by Sharon Bohannon

photo by Zoe Amos

photo by Zoe Amos

photo by Zoe Amos

photo by Zoe Amos

Zoe Amos brings her lesbian point of view to articles and stories on diverse topics. Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter. Read her stories on Kindle and Nook. Check out her other life at www.janetfwilliams.com.

The post From A to Zoe: Pride and joy first appeared on Lesbian.com.

The headliners are DJ and lesbian icon Kate Moennig (from Showtime’s original series, The L Word), KITTENS, Brooke Candy, rapper and Chicagoan Jade The Ivy, Bridget Lyons, Whitney Mixter, Rose Garcia & Chicago’s female rockers Catfight, The rest of the slate is equally eye-popping with these trendy tastemakers on the bill: Dance Loud, DJ All the Way Kay and DJ Zel.

Back Lot Bash has established itself as one of the nation’s top destinations during Pride Weekend celebrations. Founded in 2004 by Amie Klujian and Christina Wiesmore- Roberts, the hottest, most rockin’ festival for queer women spans over two weekends – June 15, and June 22-24 – in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood.

Showcasing local and emerging talent as well as established performers of different genres, Back Lot Bash highlights unity, equality and inclusiveness in an environment that is festive and celebratory of everyone in the LGBTQ community.

Since 2004, the event has grown from a single-day event to a 4-day weekend party drawing immense crowds from all over the Midwest and across the US. Co-founders Christina Wiesmore Roberts and Amie Klujian strive to bring the community together and to be active citizens by raising money for community organizations.

Now celebrating 15 years of producing events for and celebrating Chicago’s LGBTQ community, powerhouse duo, Kujian and Wiesmore-Roberts continue to be inspiring female daredevils and trailblazing local voices in their community. In 2017 HRC recognized Back Lot Bash by awarding the duo with an esteemed Chicago Community Service Award. The duo was also featured in GO Magazine’s 2017 list of 100 Top women influencers, tastemakers and trendsetters who are making a difference for the LGBTQ community.

“Our goal is for our attendees and performers to leave inspired and to stay invigorated and involved in the community throughout the year.” -Christina Wiesmore-Roberts, Co- Founder

“We are motivated and driven by the positive energy Back Lot Bash creates. That energy is harnessed by all who attend and used to ignite momentum, engagement and advocacy of issues that matter to the LGBT Community,” -Amie Klujian, Co-Founder

For inquiries or more info go to BackLotBashChicago.com.

The post Chicago’s Back Lot Bash celebrates 15 years of pride first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Happy Pride Month! It’s official. On May 31, President Obama made an official proclamation: I do hearby proclaim June 2014 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people.”

Wow! We sound like superheroes — out to “eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists.” I want a cool rainbow cape. And, I should be able to fly now or, at least, dance better.

I have heard some people say we don’t need prides anymore. We are slowly gaining momentum on marriage equality, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is gone, and even some right wing zealots have conceded we don’t actually have tails or horns (at least, not attached). I have joked about an argument I got into once at a party with a guy who kept complaining about our parades and finally slurred out the question, “Why do you need a parade for who you fu**?” I told him, “Because, we do it that well.” (He seemed surprised by my answer.) Coital excellence notwithstanding, are prides passe? I don’t think so. We still need our prides. And, yes, we want the whole damn month.

I love prides. The colors, the music, the gaiety, it all comes together in one fabulously fun event. I go home with bags of essential and valuable treasures picked up along the way. Pens, key chains and, of course, beads, I really needed more beads. I’m actually getting a very eco-friendly booth for next year called “Re-Pride” where all be handing all that shit back. Except the level. I got a little mini level from a hardware store’s booth one year and I will never forget the look on my dad’s face when, he was visiting and fixing something in my apartment and asked me if I had one. I proudly handed him my one-inch plastic leveling tool with the cute little bubble inside. When he finished laughing, he did use it and it worked just fine. Way to go, hardware gays.

Then there’s the entertainment. Where else can you still hear old disco divas live except at pride? After all, you really should be dancing. And laughing &3151; there’s always great gay comedy — that’s my favorite part — nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

There’s even two-stepping for the country lovers. Not for me but, now that I’m wearing my superhero suit fighting prejudice everywhere it exists, I guess I can’t say anything. So, step on my country music loving friends.

Of course, all they will show in the local TV news coverage are the guys in tutus or bare cheeks in chaps, which, sometimes are actually bare bear cheeks in chaps or, as I like to call them, chia chaps. But, once you go inside, we really do represent the rainbow. We, of the ever growing acronym, come in all shapes and sizes, all good and bad. We are all teachers and doctors and next door neighbors. We just happen to be wearing a rainbow boa this weekend.

And, for every wedding planner, jeweler and divorce attorney salivating over the celebration of our diversity, there are still plenty of couples who can’t hold hands in public. There are still hate crimes and beatings, bullies and suicides. And it’s not just that 70s singer we momentarily bring back to the public conscious, it’s those social issues we also shine a light on. That’s a powerful thing that prides do. They increase awareness. They educate. The bigger they are the better. The more fun they are, the more good they do. Because, right next to that ring toss game made out of a giant dildo, there’s a booth disseminating information about health or legal concerns in our community.

Recently, actor Jonah Hill was being followed by paparazzi and, according to him, being taunted. And he returned the favor by yelling, “Suck my dick, faggot.”

A few days later, he made what everyone is heralding as the sincerest of heartfelt apologies on The “Tonight Show.” He said this guy had been taunting him all day and had said hurtful things about he and his family and he wanted to hurt him back, “so I said the most hurtful word that I could think of in that moment.”

My first reaction to his apology was, really? THE most hurtful word? I’m not quite sure how we should take that. Hill is probably an alright guy. It’s not about him. It’s about that fact that being called gay, albeit in a “grotesque” way, is considered insulting.

So, yes, we still need our pride. We need to wear our bright rainbow colors and chant that we are here and queer and we’re chanting because some are still not quite used to it. Be out my friends. Now’s the time to join the (gay men’s) chorus. Tell the world that you are proud to be who you are. Tell the world you are boldly battling prejudice wherever it exists. Because, when it comes to pride we need to be Superqueeroes.

And, I’m pretty sure you can find a rainbow cape at one of the booths.

Jennie McNulty was named one of Curve magazine’s Top 10 lesbian comedians. She can be heard weekly as co-host of LA Talk Radio‘s “Cathy Is In: The Cathy DeBuono Show.”

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