IN CELEBRATION

I don't know where the time went. Last weekend found the Mistress and rest of the Clan in Philadelphia for the Gay Pride Parade and Festival. It moved the date up for the first time, as to not compete with New York City's, as most of us proper queens like to attend both. But Philly didn't disappoint as I understand over 600,000 converged on the city over the course of the three days. The second highest attendance since World Pride year. This year things were done much differently and better in my opinion; the city took advantage of nearly all parts of the city. The parade itself convened at 6th and Walnut streets, with the country's biggest gay pride flag to date, at over 400 feet of rainbow stripes, starting from the art museum steps, and made its way to the parade kick off and snaked its way along the parade route. A sight to be seen for sure. Wind billowed through the parade's massive rainbow flag. It took hundreds of marchers, side by side to carry it, and the wind allowed many to walk and snap photos of the flag's underside. A moving sight. The parade was celebration and protest, as at one point Pro Palestinians split the parade briefly but was peacefully done. The parade finished up after a two-hour spectacle right in the heart of the gayborhood, where the street festival is now held. Vendors, art and craft artisans, and gay pride wears and food trucks galore were available... not to mention the queens poured into the pubs and bars and clubs. Here's some snaps from the Pride with some help from clan member Preston.

We later caught these dykes on bikes in one of the pubs, and they were good time girls!!!! They went shot for shot with little ole me.

Another first for the event was the organized drag queen story time given by Olive D' Nightlife, Philly legend Brittany Lynn and Farrah Mascara at the National Constitution Center and Independance Hall. I hear several hundred attendees helped set the world record for attendance at such an event, marking the start of Pride Month in the birthplace of America. How fucking cool is that??? Ever think we 'd see that? I guess it's just a little bit of history repeating.... men wearing wigs in the building again, lol!! The queens read, Hello, Philadelphia, Twas the Night Before Pride, The Family Book, and Kevin the Unicorn: It's Not all Rainbows. Of course I couldn't not visit Giovanni's Room without getting some books. Damn I love that place. We also encountered many little blocks parties, which seemed to be going on all over. Nothing it seems will hold back the LGBTQ in Philly. I think the message was very clearly sent.

Drag friend It's Bev Bitch!

Philly legend Brittany Lynn

Wee morning hours...or is it the walk of shame????

As you can see the famous Woody's Nightclub's Dance fest was packed with dancing in the streets the night before the parade and went right on till 2:30am!!!! It was a blast. From what I recall.

And Pride still isn't over. The city has planned events all over the city for the whole month, like extra regional drag shows, Philadelphia Pride Bar Crawl on the 17th, Pride Run on the 15, Pride Day at the Philly Zoo, The Love is Love and Queeraplooza Block Parties, The Philadelphia Orchestra Pride Night, and the Pride Skate Roller Rink at City Hall. Plus, I have Harrisburg Pride and Rehoboth Beach Pride, a first for me, coming up yet. If you blog and attend a Pride show us pictures, I think it's great getting to see the different Prides from all around. You can check out the PHILLY GAY CALENDAR for complete list of events and club dates.

Happy Gay Pride🏳‍🌈