Victory is a new book by lawyer and feminist scholar Linda Hirshman that chronicles the triumphant gay revolution. Some might find the author’s bold proclamation premature, what with same-sex marriage banned in 38 states and LGBT teens subject to epidemic bullying. But Hirshman argues that our community’s relatively short 60-year journey from demonization to dignity is miraculous, nearly complete, and worthy of study by right and left, at home and abroad, as a model of successful social activism.
It sure felt that way last Saturday in St. Petersburg.
By design, St. Pete Pride has always been the People’s Pride. It starts in unflattering morning light, winding through residential Kenwood before turning into the Grand Central commercial district, thirty blocks from the city’s signature waterfront parks and condo towers. Attendees ten deep at places spill out into the street to greet and touch Promenade participants, creating impromptu parties between casually paced parade units.
This year more than ever, St. Pete Pride felt like a celebration not just for our community, but for all of free-thinking Tampa Bay. Families lined the streets, and if their rainbow-bedecked strollers had been decorated in red-white-and-blue it would’ve felt much like the 4th of July.
On our floats and banners, we proclaimed pride in our history and accomplishments. On their warm, smiling faces thousands of locals declared pride in the diversity and welcoming inclusivity of their city.
It was a glorious day hot, of course, but with a consistent breeze that kept people at the Street Festival well into mid-afternoon. They enjoyed some of the best people-watching south of Commercial St. in Provincetown.
There are unique challenges to dressing for St. Pete Pride: how do you express your rainbow self while wearing as little clothing as possible? The results creative, hilarious, tragic, sexy, challenging are my absolute favorite thing about the event, now in its 10th year.
This year I brought a new lightweight movie camera and filmed the Promenade from my vantage point at the front of the Watermark parade unit. In honor of the Carnivale’ theme, I wore a sequined red jacket and matching top hat worthy. Think Liberace in a sauna. The mile-and-a-half route was a blur of beads and beaming faces, punctuated by several vignettes caught on film.
- Close to fifty Dykes on Bikes roared their engines loudly in front of Georgie’s Alibi, building anticipation as the traditional lead unit for the parade.
- On a corner in residential Kenwood, a heavily beaded man in a rainbow hat stood silently in front of protestors, smiling at the insignificance of their over-the-top placards and pronouncements.
- Carrying signs saying, I love my lesbian daughter, I love my gay son, and I love my transgender friend, a huge PFLAG unit spread a contrasting message of unconditional acceptance and support throughout the adoring crowd.
- All along the parade route, groups of teen and pre-teen girls delighted in their tame-but-outrageous rainbow attire and their safe exploration of sexual identity and counter-culture. OMG!
- A not-much-older woman with shocking pink hair danced shirtless, but with joyful innocence as if saying, While we’re talking about stupid rules how about the one that says girls have to wear shirts and boys don’t.
- Pansexual and transgender teens touchingly braved a first public event, as though inching their way into the bracing swimming pool of adult choice.
- Impressive floats created by the Flamingo Resort, the GaYbor District and the Krewe of Cavaliers offered muscle, sequins and spectacle to a bass beat; a welcome reminder that parties and bars serve an integral and important role in our community.
- Mistress of Ceremonies Christine O’Leary used her Segway as a hilarious comedic prop along the parade route until an accident sidelined her. A trouper, she performed later that night in a cast.
- Like proud war veterans wearing uniforms from the Castro Street front lines, leather men in chaps and harnesses were greeted warmly throughout the parade route.
- In contrast, Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner, St. Petersburg City Councilman Steve Kornell and Largo City Commissioner Michael Smith offered a 21st century glimpse at Gay Power mainstream elected officials waving with one hand and proudly holding their respective partners with the other.
- Life-sized cardboard cutouts of Barack and Michelle Obama rode in a convertible, standing in for a President who just came out in favor of same-sex marriage by saying, I have seen same-sex couples who are as committed, as monogamous, as responsible, and as loving a group of parents as any heterosexual couple I know. The crowd hooted and hollered their approval as if they could bring the President and First Lady to life.
Here’s the video:
After the Promenade, I turned the camera off and watched the spectacle pass by from the shade of the Watermark booth. An elderly woman I’d spoken with at several Pride’s in the past stood next to me as two shirtless men wearing matching ‘Just Married’ caps walked by holding hands. Not to me, but to herself, she said, I can’t believe this happened in my lifetime.
The gay revolution that Victory author Hirshman referred to may not be complete. But in overcoming deeply and culturally entrenched homophobia in just half a century, it has certainly been a triumph, and something in which we should all take pride.
And that’s exactly what we did last Saturday in St. Petersburg.
