Pictured: With my niece Hollie ( center ) and her friend Mariya at Pride, Water, water everywhere, The exhausted spanker.
Barbra Streisand is, no doubt, very upset. She implored you not to rain on her parade. And lo, though these past 12 Pride Parades I have attended were not marred by the deluge, this was the year to smash the record. So to all of you who endured wet socks and runny eyeliner, I'm truly most proud of you. It'll take more than a little ( OK, A LOT ) of rain to spoil your parade. The sun's a bowl of butter, after all.
Now there's a sign that I'm getting older: I'm starting to quote showtunes in casual conversation. Perhaps that's why at least three folks have told me in the past month that I look good 'for my age.'
You should have seen me at my first Pride Parade in 1996. I looked good, but my good looks at the time needed no qualifier.
Kinda like that hot chica I'm hugging up there in my picture to the left. And there's a reason why she looks so good. That's my niece Hollie. All of 15 and I got to share her first Pride Parade with her. Why, I'm the proudest gay uncle this side of Poughkeepsie. And I'd wager on the other side as well.
Check out the definition in the droplets of water in that next shot down! Sure, my lens got a little wet, but it made for some cool photography.
The third picture shows what happens when a straight couple tries their best to spank my gay ass with a flimsy wooden stick. My ass won.
For coverage of many other Pride weekend events; including Pridefest, Backlot Bash, Girlblast, the Dyke March and many bar-related goings-on; check out next week's issue, or see this week's Windy City Times or online at www.windycitymediagroup.com .
This week's cover, though cool, was not the original plan. It was supposed to have been the fine work of Pierre Cameron to promote the first ever Black Party at the Congress Theater on Saturday, July 5. It's a shame too. He does good work. So turn your copy of Nightspots over, if you will, and pretend that the back is the front. Versatility is all the rage these days.
Come to the Black Party to thump along with legendary DJs Craig Loftis, Kenae and Anton. Easily the best bet in town.
A very happy Black Pride to all this coming weekend!!!
kirk@windycitymediagroup.com