GAY PRIDE PARADE IN FORT LAUDERDALE

[Karl-G]

Today is Gay Pride Sunday in Fort Lauderdale. A mile stretch of Wilton Manors Drive is blocked off all day for the festivities. Large crowds were assembled by 11:00, when the parade was scheduled to start at the south end. It was a little late in starting, but this just gave more time for people to arrive. Everyone seemed in a very good mood all day. It is quite warm, but clouds blew over bringing a breeze and cooling things off a little for a very pleasant day.

 

Like all gay pride parades, this one offered a multitude of sights, very different from the usual parades in cities. Almost 100 Harleys opened the parade with a roar, and they were followed by many floats and marching groups representing the many faces of the gay community. There were gay couples and lesbian couples with their children and pets; there were bears marching and riding cars; there were drag queens and flamboyant boys strutting all around. The crowds kept getting larger, and since it is a warm day, many shed their shirts, and shorts began to sag. One Hispanic lesbian couple had adorable two year old twin boys that everyone was admiring.

 

Both sides of the street were lined with booths offering food and services of all kinds. If you are a gay man or woman in town, this would certainly be a great place to find out about the many groups which are serving and interested in gays and lesbians. Wilton Manors Drive is lined with restaurants and bars and outdoor cafes all along this stretch, so you could drop in for some AC and/or a drink and something to eat whenever you felt like it. The main stage at 6th and Wilton has continuous entertainment from after the parade til tonight. The crowd around the stage is large and enthusiastic.

 

Boardwalk had marching groups and five vehicles in the parade. The contingent started off with dancers Fernando and Junior carrying a banner with the Boardwalk name; they were followed by gorgeous shirtless Julio strutting his stuff; and then more dancers riding on top of vehicles and walking along. The crowd was very appreciative, and we should express our appreciation to Boardwalk management and dancers. Every possible interest group was represented: Gay Democrats, Gay Republicans, Gay Buddhists, Gay Christians, Gay Bears, Gay Runners, etc.

 

All morning and afternoon gay and lesbian couples walked hand-in-hand up and down the street, looking in the booths, chatting, having a drink, enjoying the music, and having a great time being themselves. It is rather a low-key affair in Fort Lauderdale, but all groups from little kids to teenagers and elderly gentlemen, many lesbian women, to gym bunnies and muscle men, and drag queens and the flamboyant, mingle peacefully and enjoyably on Wilton Manors Drive. Politicans from both parties rode in the parade and walked around greeting the crowd, and the police are present and pleasant. It's a very colorful and great day!