CANDYLAND

Well dear readers….the Mistress is on his own again. after another long weekend of out of town guest, and a long weekend of the Philadelphia Pride festivities. Monday was ugly to say the least, with my guest and I nursing ourselves back to normal. The pride parade and all the shows were a huge hit, and I hear the crowds almost tripled to what they expected. Having been before, this year felt different. It was everybody coming together as one, having a good time, and showing our numbers and supporters are only growing bigger. I was blow away at the number of people I met many who said they just came out right before pride to  their loved ones and friends, and this was there first pride. Very exciting. How times have changed. Back in the day, very few would march in a parade for fear of being recognized and harassed, many having objects thrown at them. There was a chant I heard on a documentary once, "Off the curb and into the street", and when someone would step into the street,  the crowd would roar. At one point I did get a bit overcome with tears seeing everybody get along and wondered what our fore friends would think, and then thought this was for them. While we do have to keep going forward, we can't give up. I met some swell people this weekend,  some new friends, and another couple blog readers that caught up with us. What a packed revelry it was. And to my knowledge the evil protesters, which are in high numbers usually...were almost non-existent.

Here's what happens when your Mistress eats baked beans the night before.

Comac Street dedecked with color.

This was the Stonewall float, that will go on to New York's Pride next.

The Mummers even made an appearance.

It was very cool to see many straight families too. Just think, to these little children they will grown up seeing this as the normal, which it is. I loved the below photo I got.

I love me some of Cooper, another reader, who shocked me by coming to see the Boylesque show.

Courtesy of  my Social Director, Anita Moorecock.

At the parade I had a chance encounter and the honor of talking with Grayson, the guy in the middle who just went through gender reassignment surgery. This was his first pride since the transition and couldn't state enough just how freeing it was. His boyfriend I met later...what a cute couple they were, and how brave and inspiring. You go boy!!!!!!!! I was honored he let me take a picture.

It's Bev Bitch!

Preston and his new boy capture a cute but hot moment!!!! Sometimes my clan can get me choked up, even though I'd have no problem being the butter between that bread!!!!!

And the self expression was out and the more power to these individuals for expressing themselves, not repressing themselves.

Take it, take it, take it to the runway gurl!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dorothy switches it up....

Avant-garde realness. These trans were everything.

A ex co-worker, and friend Patrice, and her friend Aaron. Love the make up MAC did for them ! I'm here to tell you, Patrice's has the most beautiful skin. And a beautiful soul too.

Cute boy alert.

Nightmare is putting it mildly.

Love this shot!!!! Our friend Mark. I do believe even ole. Benny Franklin atop of city hall even had on colored beads!

Most of the bars and lounges poured out into the streets, shutting them down, 13th and 14th became virtually one big long dance floor.

Another street, Pine Street also shut down, as the crowd at Ubar also pouring into the streets. I was also very impressed by the assets of the guy in the white shorts and pink tank top.

Here's is reader Boy Morgan on the far right,  with his group of friends, two of which are in the play Legally Blonde the musical. I told him his fur was making me purrrrrrrrrrr. It was great finally meeting you!

Competing with me in the stable of boys is the Mahogany Empress, who's peeps posed for this picture at Penns Landing. If our two houses ever meet up for a party.....ohhhhh dear. When are you guys coming to the Raven pool!?!?!?! They all were also kind to come see the show.

I have no idea why, but I loved these three older gents carrying these flags as they were leaving away from the parade when it was over.

Even at 11pm Sunday evening 13th street was still packed with dancing to house music in the streets.

WHAT A PRIDE!!! I would have sworn the whole city was gay!!!!!!!

 Now one more to go...the big one....NEW YORK CITY BABY!!! If anyone is going to be attending, I have included the link in the side bar for New York's most excellent website. I strongly urge you to view it as to see time of the parade and festival, venues, and over 50➕ events and parties happening, to many to mention. It's a great guide, and in addition, our Queen has announced she will be now performing the closing act of the Pride Island festival.....Madonna herself. I best rest up right quick, with so many international mens coming over to the big apple, plus Bunny! Oy vey.