Minneapolis Pride Weekend. It's nearly over, thank God

[hondarobot]

I hate Pride Weekend, not because I hate gay men or lesbians, just because it's a whole hell of a lot of work for me every year. There are some amusing moments, though, and this example has been a recurring theme every year: encountering new people who think I'm gay just because of where I work.

I generally get stuck building most of our parade float every year, pretty much by myself. Why? Because everyone else at work is gay. Managers are attending parties and making the scene, our drag performers are local celebrities and have to make the rounds, everyones got party stuff to do except the token straight guy. All I really should have to do is set up the sound equipment, but it never works out that way.

The interesting twist is that our club has a new owner now, so instead of constructing the float in the usual location outside of town, this year I'm just a few blocks from work in a motorcycle shop/ garage the guy owns. He also owns, as far as I know so far, four bars/clubs in New Orleans, two strip clubs in Minneapolis, as well as a sports bar, porn shop, and now a GLBT club here. Probably a lot more. I've been working next to a white stretch limo with his initials on the plates, and two corvettes are in storage near by.

Heh, it's pretty cool actually.

Anyhow, so these motorcycle shop guys have been doing the "Is this guy gay" thing for the last couple days. They are real quiet while I'm working on the float, then when I walk out for a smoke, I can hear the normal "bike shop" banter start up. "Ya think he's gonna put a stripper pole on the float? I sure could use one for my girlfriend!", then I walk back in and they get real quiet again.

The best part is them making the "I have no problem with gays" comments. A Queen song came on the radio today, and one of the guys says (very loudly) "I think Queen was one of the best bands ever. I really do. I think they were really great!", or telling me "I aint never been down to your club before. I just haven't gotten around to it yet. You guys get a huge crowd, I've seen the lines on the sidewalks.", and then another guy chimes in "I've been there twice, it's a cool club. . . Uh, I went there with my wife.".

I finally just told them today "This sucks. I have to do all this fuckin work for Pride myself, and I'm not even gay!"

The mood lightened up after that. It's just funny not letting them know, though.

[JelenaCD]

weird yet the whole pride parade is really I think self destructive ! if you celebrate pride given that being gay is genetic then don't you also with your pride open yourself to critic and someone saying i am pround to hate gays and is that no different then your pride , if you celebrate pride you can't dismiss dissent ! you open the door and be careful what is in the room !

[Coroner]

The story remembers me of Max Payne 2 somehow.

[hondarobot]

weird yet the whole pride parade is really I think self destructive ! if you celebrate pride given that being gay is genetic then don't you also with your pride open yourself to critic and someone saying i am pround to hate gays and is that no different then your pride , if you celebrate pride you can't dismiss dissent ! you open the door and be careful what is in the room !

What? Who cares if gay guys and lesbians have a celebration? More power to 'em. People who want to twist things and say "then I can be proud to hate gay people" are simply stupid.

[hugochavez]

I hate Pride Weekend, not because I hate gay men or lesbians, just because it's a whole hell of a lot of work for me every year.

Yeah, mopping their splooge I'm sure.