Sunday, June 13, 2010

Milw@ukee Pride and breaking the news

I am not really in the mood to write, and I don't know exactly why I sat down at the computer. I am hoping that by taking my mind off of other things happening that are disappointing, and concentrating on the good, I will change my mood.

This weekend was the Milwaukee Pridefest! We had a really wonderful weekend...it probably landed real close to the top of the "Best Pride Yet" pride scale. Milwaukee is really blessed with a large Pride, and I have written about it before. Three days, on the shores of Lake Michigan, multiple stages, a very large "club" tent, kids areas, heath and wellness areas, fireworks... this year the headliners were Kathy Griffin, Patti La Belle, and Joan Rivers. I found a lot of really great entertainment on smaller stages, though. Today (Sunday) was the Pride parade, which was pretty okay. The coolest thing about the parade was that there was an airshow going on at the lakefront as well-- and every once in a while the Blue Angels (???) would fly over in formation. There was a guy there from Minnesota who was not only straight but has never been to a pride parade before, and I had him convinced that the fly overs were set up just for the gays. I had him for a while, too :)

I think of all the places around this country that have NO pride events or gatherings, and I feel pretty lucky to have ours. It was so nice to see so many families with children, parents with their gay teens, and older pflag parents.... It was a really nice atmosphere. I have difficulty when we turn the corner, though, and there are the groups of... well.. I don't know.. I don't want to call names, or anything.. but, like.. the leather guys with asses hanging out, the women with everything but leaves over their boobs, the furries, or the just... "different" people....in a crowd of already kinda different people. I always freak out thinking-- okay--- what if a straight family or couple came down to the fest trying to be open minded or wanted to teach their kids about diversity etc.... what would they say when they saw those fest-goers?

Is it bad for me to wish for normality in my community? Just a little more blending in, please. But yet, not totally. Maybe it is just me who feels uncomfortable... and * I * should figure out why the actions of others affect me that way. Because really, what they do is their business, right?

You know, the news stations and cameras gravitate towards the odd ducks. They are the ones who make the 10:00 broadcast... and I cringe.

Is it like that at all Prides? How do you feel about it?

Outside of that (which, honestly, doesn't come in the way of me having a great time), it was TONS of fun. I laughed hard. I love my friends. I don't have many, but those that I let in, I am blessed to have. I dropped Mic and her friend Wendy off at the gates this afternoon, and I am waiting to hear from them to go scoop them in the car and bring them home.

Other news.... our references for the foster/adoption have received their paperwork. They are filling it all out. It is so weird. It is all moving FORWARD!!! Because of the quickness of this happening combined with Mic's procrastination... we never got a chance to tell her mom and dad of our plans.... and Mic listed them as references. So, once I heard from one of MY references... we realized that mom and dad would have gotten THEIR paperwork, and we would have to tell them over speaker phone. NOT the way I had it all worked up in my head. I didn't even get to use the props I have been holding onto for over a year.

It was good... Mic's mom cried.. her dad was steady... and Mic bawled. It actually was really touching. They are thrilled. Mic's mom promptly told us that she will have to get a second job so she can spoil the kid rotten- and that she hopes we are blessed before Christmas. Mic was on the ball and instructed them that anything they buy said kid will remain at their house.

My girl, she is smart.

I have lots of pictures of the weekend to download, lots more on my mind.... but I really just want to go drink some water to get over this rum and french fry induced bloat and go to bed. It is so weird.. at my new job I have to work. A LOT.

To look update my facebook I have to take the phone into the bathroom with me.

How lame.

9 comments:

P said...

congrats on the adoption process moving along so well. I know what you mean about the news media only showing the few people that do stupid stuff at pride and not showing what it is really all about. Sounds like you had a great time.

Anonymous said...

I hear ya on the 'overachievers' at pride.

When I first started to go to pride, I was embarrassed by them... but then as I got to know someone who likes to dress it up for pride, I realized that it is their way of showing what pride means to them.

For the leather daddy with his ass hanging out - it's only his way of being who he is... even if I don't agree with it - how can I deny him of that?

For me, pride is about being true to oneself in the face of diversity and I think that's what those other people are doing.

I'm so happy to hear things are moving along for you two with the adoption process. I cried when I read about Mic breaking the news to her parents.

cindyhoo2 said...

Soooo exciting seeing the process get rolling for you guys. I love that Mic's parents were emotional about it too. This kid/ kids is/are going to be so loved!

As for the more freakish elements of our community, I feel the same way. I will fight endlessly for their rights to fly their freak flags yet internally I wish they could conform a bit more. I find that I am more a mainstream family gay. :)

Anonymous said...

Excellent news on the adoption process.

It takes all kinds to make up diversity. San Diego has a cover restriction (or under cover) and it applies to everyone. In the festival there is a tent like structure, must be of age to enter, no cameras, and that's where some of the unusual sights are seen. Over all, I don't judge people who are different. I mean really, there are some very good straight people out there who can't help being the way they are ;)

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a good time. I agree with the covering up. For ALL people. I don't want to look at anyone's ass or boobs. Isn't there some law that you CAN'T show that stuff in public? I personally wouldn't want to expose my kids to that. Not my job to police, though. Glad things are moving along.

CJ said...

We are going to try to do Pride next year! It's so close and we really need to just do it! Glad you enjoyed it and yay on having the news broken!!

* said...

Great news on the adoption plans moving along so well.

For me pride is a time to be exceptionally proud of who you are and living your life authentically...yes, the media does the same here "let's show everyone the guy with the assless chaps on"...i guess if that is his thing, then so be it...but i do wish the media would focus on other types of people as well.

Happy Pride. :-)

jaenkes said...

Sounds like a great weekend & my thoughts follow yours EXACTLY on "extreme" folks at pride events. To each their own, but I want people to realize the majority is "just like everyone else".

Congrats on the news! We just paid our Homestudy fee, so now for the individual 2hr interviews and then the "come to our home" visit. Oh god... stressful, but exciting!

Anonymous said...

Dude! This is what I was talking about regarding Pridefest. I can't even stand it anymore. Why can't we be prideful with our clothes on? Why does the whole fest revolve around sex? I mean, hello!!!! Do you wear your high heels and assless chaps to your job? NO! Do you wear your rainbow matching rings? NO! It's just really lame. It is all an act and a costume. Why do they need to pretend to be something else? It's NOT halloween! Why aren't there some pillars of the community there with a booth, some local gay artists, a run in the morning, a breakfast...something different. Something normal. Because we are normal, we have families, we have jobs...and we do NOT wear rainbow shit all day and crazy costumes.
AND WTF with the music? Do freakin loud. How you could ever go in that dance tent is beyond me.