Happy pride month and week!
The Citibank float, “We Came Out”!
From the palm trees of LA to the hustle and bustle of New York City, virtually every place on earth is celebrating Pride Month in commemoration of the LGBTQ community and our centuries-long fight for equality. Many people think that the gay rights movement originated from the 1969 Stonewall Riots; but it was only the match that ignited the fire marking a significant change in both American and global cultures. Without this light, I can safely say that I do not know where the state of our society would be. Would we be subject to second-class status? Would I proudly see my gay brethren march for something that I guarded so heavily for 18 years? Well, I sure would not have had this amazing experience this pride weekend!
The parade going down 5th Ave!
This weekend was by far the best pride I have ever been to in terms of morale, fabulousness, and positivity. Everyone seemed so carefree (especially when drenched in body glitter and walking around shamelessly in a very fabulous getup) and seemed not to have a care in the world; it seemed as though the world hit pause for the day and there was no talk of anything negative or overly political. Pride does tend to get political, particularly in a city as large and in charge as New York; yet there was a great, vibrant presence of happiness and joy - even though I did not seek to hook up with anyone - HA, jk, jk!
This pride also marked a weekend during which I showed my friend from Philly, Kevin, around the greatest city on the planet. $1 pizza and amazing bagels (sorry Jersey, but you know what’s good) were only a fraction of the world we lived in for three short days (in the Emerald City!). I wanted him to take in all of the city that for many years I took for granted; the bright lights of Times Square, the rainbow lights of the Empire State Building honoring our community, and the eclectic beauty of Downtown Manhattan. And he did and then some - he took pictures of everything (while there, why not?). He was amazed by the costumes of the drag queens and the muscles on some of those sexy float boys (what’s not to love?!), which made me smile with pride (no pun intended - allegedly) and joy.
Pride on: Equality t-short, green swim trunks, and rainbow athletic socks all from H&M! (Thank you Gus Kenworthy :) )!
I introduced Kevin to my best friends, Luigi, Gabby, and Sam, and Sam’s friend, Callie, as well the lifestyle that consumes our weekends together in the best way possible. A years-long tradition that remains from President to President, this retreat takes us away from all the stresses of work and our personal lives and lets us roam freely to celebrate the changing world of the modern family dynamic and the definition of love. Even the girls, all of whom identify as straight, had a blast looking at the muscle queens in speedos and angel wings!
On Friday night, Kevin and I met up with Sam and her friends Callie and Juan at Tonic East in Midtown, a very popular area for yuppies and locals alike. This three-story bar was packed, particularly at midnight (this is the city that never sleeps, after all). I was FINALLY introduced to Callie after quite some time and she was even better than I imagined her to be. Of course, when my friends introduce me to their friends, they are gonna be pretty awesome; and they both were! After the girls and Juan left, Kev and I trekked across Madison Square Park over to Boxers, aka the next “male Hooters”. They have one in Philly, so we were quite curious to go. Not as lit as the previous bar, we still wanted to check it out (they were probably saving their energy for Sunday!).
At Tonic East With Kevin, Sam, Callie, and Juan Friday night!
After that, we bumped into a nice young man named Sam, a recent NYU grad, whom lost in best friend just a few days prior. He was very kind to us and even split our Uber with us at 4:30 AM! We were starving so we went to the Hollywood Diner for something to eat, during which time we talked about life, our coming out stories, crazy ex stories, amongst other spilled teas - thank you tequila! And we got invited for more mimosas - which I never turn down!
Saturday was a relaxation day of showing Kevin my hometown, parade outfit shopping, and sushi with Sam, Callie, and Luigi. At Osaka in Tarrytown, we ordered so much sushi that it came on a giant wooden boat filled what seems to be the whole table. Luigi almost gagged from the shrimp fried rice (although the waiter said chicken :( ) and the billing was off, but it was great nonetheless; conversation was juicy as always and they got to know Kevin and vice versa. I also got to know Callie as we exchanged our crazy stories (in the best way possible!) and how she and Sam met. Afterward, we had to finish all the sushi to avoid being upcharged for not finishing the boat (yes, this is a thing - mercury poisoning or not).
Me and Elton John, still standin’ after all this time!
The next morning, the gang came together for the pre-game at Sam’s house, fabulously appropriate with mimosas and great rap music, courtesy of the House DJ! From the light naps to the gossip we engaged in on the train, we were ready to conquer the city! When we got to the parade, we met yet ANOTHER person named Sam - a high schooler from Long Island (ah, to be young again!) at her first pride with her lesbian friend. It goes to show that so many people are learning acceptance at an age during which scrunity is inevitable to those who are different and therefore “weird”.
The most iconic shirt of the most iconic queen in the game!
After the parade, we went to Gym Bar, where we got a workout (literally!). The downstairs bar was hot as hell intentionally to make people sweaty and dancing, which we loved ! I could skip cardio for the next two days! From the Colombian guys in the sauna-esque basement to the dashing redhead from Yonkers with a Tiffany “New York” Pollard graphic tee (Yas, Queen!), there was not a dull moment at this bar. We are for sure going back next year!
After several hours of dancing, drinking, and living our best lives, it was time to say goodbye to the gang - for now. Afterwards, I tried to show Kevin the iconic Stonewall Inn, which proved to be Impossible: Gay Pride Edition as everything surrounding Christopher Street was blocked off. Instead, we went uptown to Times Square where I showed Kevin the luminous billboards, the marquees of Broadway, and of course the American Eagle flagship store (he works there, was for him it was the holy grail). He took in all three stories and was amazed by the amount of clothes and the quality of the displays - that’s the New York way!
On the way to Grand Central, we saw the Empire State Building all decked out for pride in rainbow lights. The city has come a long way indeed!
Despite this being in my former backyard, the Empire State Building never disappoints!
On the way back to my apartment, we got an Uber that was involved with a hit-and-run accident in Bronxville (he was hit in the back bumper, just to clarify). The driver was very nice about it, especially after the girl who hit him drove off! Then the cops came to collect the insurance information, only to grill two people who were in the car with the girl! After much ado, we got a free Uber ride and a great day full of timeless memories.
On the way back to Philly, I thought to myself: I got to show my new friend a great world that was in my backyard my entire life. It was breathtaking and spectacular to him, and that’s the way a first time should feel; enough for you to want more of the unfamiliar in the best way possible. It is also the way of the world: when people experience something out of their comfort zones, they realize the world that is out there because they appreciate the one from which they come.
Pride is such an experience for all, whether you are gay, lesbian, trans, bi, straight, or anything in between. We live in a time during which public opinion is divisive; but there is one theme that remains constant: love. It makes the world go round and it spreads awareness across all borders. It manifests for full acceptance of one’s being and the ability to express positivity to people from all walks of life. It starts from within and creates a ripple effect once you express it. A very powerful entity, as it does conquer all.
The pride gang came, saw, and conquered!
Happy pride, everyone, from Philly to New York to London, and somewhere over the rainbow!
