Cincinnati Pride 2016

[kybearfuzz]

After being gone all last week, I have to admit that I was not necessarily looking forward to going to Pride this year. Not that the "open carry" gun nuts or religious blowhards would deter me from going, but because I was so tired of being social, that the idea of being around so many people seemed potentially draining.

I stayed up late last night getting my Pride shirt for the year done. I didn't have a lot of time to draw something new. I wanted the shirt to have two bears kissing, so I used the image of Grizzly and Colour Cub kissing from the engagement story and dressed it up. I loved how it turned out.

I got up and went to see the parade this morning. Once I was in the middle of all of it, my worries of being socially exhausted faded quickly. It felt so good to see everyone. There is a group identity of pride attendees in a way, there is an energy, the feeling of community. The environment of everyone celebrating love, pride, being out is very satisfying. I saw several of our old LJ crowd in the parade, a coworker or two, and friends I'd not seen in a while.

After about three hours, I was wearing down. Not from the social aspects, but from the heat, the lack of sleep, and the recent traveling. I drove home, showered, and napped. I got up and went to a surprise 60th birthday party for a retired coworker, seeing former coworkers, current coworkers, and their spouses. It was a good night.

Now I'm home and sleepy. I'm looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow. Hopefully, Milo the Cat will let me.

Comments

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Thanks Champ! I certainly enjoyed the attention it gets.