It is More than Just a Parade

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It is More than Just a Parade
On Saturday, June 21st, Paris threw a party and invited several hundred thousand of the city’s closest and most colorful friends. The Gay, Lesbian, Bi and Trans-Sexual Pride Parade started at Montparnasse and jubilantly snaked its way through the streets of Paris to its final destination, the Bastille.   It was a carnival celebrating diversity and   advocating   equality and human rights. Political parties, unions and organizations were represented in force. Gays, lesbians, transvestites, transsexuals, their families, friends and supporters walked, danced and sang their way through the parade route, rejoicing in their solidarity and celebrating the strength of their convictions.   Trucks with speakers blasted techno music that could well have been heard as far away as Marseilles. Confetti filled the air. Merchants throughout the Marais bedecked the streets with a sea of rainbow flags and colorful balloons.   In my enthusiasm to photograph the event, I crossed onto the parade path. A security man immediately whisked me away and placed me back on the curb after which he kissed me on both cheeks – ever so French. It was truly an atmosphere of joy and camaraderie.   As is true with every gathering, security was visible. But, I began to wonder how many of these men and women might be “undercover?”  I suspect they were having an outrageously good time.  If participants were hungry, not to worry. There were trucks ( including one in the shape of a giant orange) selling food and drinks and if someone wanted to stop off at a cafŽ, they could join the crowd and not miss much more than a beat.   The floats were musical extravaganzas not to mention incarnations of fantasies.  Dancers of every age and size performed for the crowds lining the streets. The costumes were spectacular and ran the gamut from ball gowns to nuns’ habits. Throw in several hundred men in their briefs, a few dozen gladiators, a group of nymphs and one butterfly and you have the true flavor of the event. A fashion commentator could hardly call the outfits BCBG.  The festivities were interrupted by three minutes of silence.  It was a poignant tribute to those who died too young; to a generation of people who were lost to AIDS.   If you wanted to sleep in the Marais, located in the 4th arrondissement (an area that is more than Gay friendly), you’d have a difficult time.  A concert, sponsored by a radio station, took place at the Bastille.  The decibel level was at an all-time high and  music resounded throughout the streets as people of all ages and sexual preferences continued the revelry.The party lasted through the wee hours and was one I refused to miss.  This night our windows remained open !    © Carlyn Snell
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