TMI ANSWERS: HAPPY PRIDE 2013!

From:  Just A Jeep Guy

HAPPY PRIDE 2013!

1. Tell me about your first Pride.
My 1st Pride was in Washington, DC and it was a blast. I had just come out and went with the gay friends I had made through work. Stephen and his friends were the first out gay people I knew, they took me under they're wings and they opened my world. The best thing was the feeling of being normal.

2. What did that first Pride mean to you?
At the time I'm not sure it meant more then having a good time. I wasn't thinking about political statements, I just wanted to be with my friends. After, I realized what an experience I had just had, not sex, but an awakening.
3. How many different Prides have you been to?
I've been to DC, NY, Atlanta, Chicago and Boston. NY is by far the biggest spectacle and you need to plan your day. I think Atlanta was the friendliest/accessible.

4. Do you fly the Pride Flag and/or stick it to anything?
I keep a sticker on my Jeep and from time to time I were either the Equality symbol on a necklace or the necklace I had made - a triangle hollowed out of a square in sterling silver but the chain broke and I've never had it repaired.

5. Do you still celebrate Pride? What does it mean to you now?
In recent years I have only celebrated Pride through my blog. I haven't been to a Pride in years, mostly because I've been living in NY and it's just to overwhelming to go - especially by oneself.

6. Does Pride need improving? If so, what changes would you make?
I think all Pride Parades should have a contingency representing the "normal gays" that everyone complains about the media never showing. HELLO! All those half-naked muscle studs and twinks, leather clad men, bears, gogo dancing boys, drag queens, dykes on bikes, and more ARE the normal gays.

7. How do you give back?
I give back in various ways throughout the year. I VOTE! I stay informed of issues. I sign petitions. I LIVE OUT! I share my life. I contribute money when I can. I volunteer when I can. I did 5 AIDS RIDES - Philly to DC, 3 NC to DC and Boston to NY raising over $20,000.

BONUS
What kind of trouble or embarrassing moment have you had during Pride? 
I kept seeing this one t-shirt on everyone but I wasn't getting it. I don't know why I didn't ask one of my friends first but I finally had to know what the joke was so I asked this lesbian who was wearing the shirt. As I tend to do, when I asked my question my voice got louder and the crowd seemed to get quite so that the maximum number of people could hear me ask, "What does LET GO OF MY EARS! I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING! Mean?" As the

words are coming out of my mouth, I finally get the joke but not before giving numerous people a good laugh. And for the record, I don't find it embarrassing to be lead around by a leash attached to a dog collar and wearing a leather harness and jock.  ;P