EX TENEBRIS CRESCIT FLOS
PRIDE!
I Marched Down the Street with Dykes and Trannies...
And My Mother Joined Me
September 2, 2005
Pride is usually a dirty word for me, as I tend to equate it with a sense of
superiority or arrogance, but every year on a certain weekend in June I forget
the negative connotations of the word and enthusiastically join in the
Pride Festival in Salt Lake City.
Most people would not imagine that the GLBT (gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender)
community in Salt Lake City would be large enough to put on a big celebration.
But they would be wrong. Although the city is in the middle of an oppressively
conservative state, it is a progressive stronghold, and the gay community is
quite strong. In recent years, crowds of 30,000 to 50,000 have shown up
for the festivities, consisting of a Dyke March, a parade, and a street
festival.
This is the third year I have attended Pride, and I participated in the usual
events, but it was different this year. My mother happened to be visiting and
she joined me in the activities. How's that for support? Not only does she
support my decision to transition from male to female, but she celebrates it
by joining me as I march down the street!
First was the Dyke March, on the evening of Saturday, June 11. A large group
of lesbians gathered in City Creek Park, held a rally, and marched down State
Street and 200 East to Washington Square, the location of the festival. It
was raining hard, but that did not deter us. A marginalized minority group
which needs to speak out is not going to be stopped by a bit of rain. My
mother commented that I was the most feminine-looking person there! I guess
sometimes I overdo the feminine appearance a bit, but I don't really care -
it is an expression of who I am.
The next morning, my mother and I assembled with the transgender group to
march in the parade. The theme of our entry was a march based on the marches
of the suffragettes in the early 20th century. I wore an old-fashioned
Scottish-inspired dress (actually correct for an earlier period, but it was
the closest I have) and I marched at the front of the entry, holding a flag,
and my mother marched beside me. Rain threatened but did not fall, but
even if it had fallen, the parade would have gone on anyway.
The festival afterwards was extremely crowded, and the weather began to get
hot, so I did not spend a lot of time there, but I did look around at the
booths, get some lunch, and buy a few trinkets.
I am glad I made it to Pride this year, and it was wonderful to have my mother
there with me. Few of us transsexuals have such supportive parents, and I
realize just how fortunate I am. Thanks, Mom, and I love you.
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