Before moving to Vancouver, I lived in a mid size city called Windsor. The city is famous for being across the water from Detroit, the motor city. Needless to say, Windsor is a blue collar town too. Not to say, it has no charm, after all it is the strip club capital of Canada. I love Vancouver, because it is everything Windsor isn’t. When I arrived here, I couldn’t wait to start enjoying the mountains, ocean, weather and most of all, I finally live in a city that has a Chinese New Year and Pride parade!
I was able to cross “attended Chinese New Year Parade” off my to-do list during my first year in the city. I anxiously waited for the summer to attend my first Pride Parade. Why do I look forward to the Pride Parade so much? For the same reason that I wanted to see the Chinese New Year Parade. It is a chance to witness the celebration of diversity and culture. I love watching people parading around the city in colourful outfits and showing off how proud of who they are! It is the most loving and festive feeling.
Unfortunately, I seem to be always out of town during Pride week in Vancouver and missed it year after year. But this was the year!!! I was determined to finally see the parade with my own eyes!
This past weekend, Mom and I headed down Davie Street towards English Bay right before the parade started. The streets were packed with people, dogs and children (I guess they are people too :P). Parade was a bit of slow start, but by the time the dyke on bike (btw, that is what they call themselves, I am not being rude!) came around, the crowd was going wild over them. It seemed like the entire community came out to cheer on the gays. From policemen, firemen, teachers, media to First Nations, everyone was looking fabulous and shaking their booties! This was Ma’s first time too. She couldn’t believe how beautiful some of the transgender ladies were and super impressed how they can walk in 4 inch heels better than she could.
I was extremely proud to see military presence at the parade. But I would have loved to see a much bigger turnout like the RCMP. They had a platoon marching! Btw, they looked very hot in their red uniform. Last year in Toronto, for the first time, members of Canada's Armed Forces represented the military in Pride parade.
My NuBe Pride Parade experience definitely lived up to the hype. Tolerance and love was no longer just felt, it was heard and seemed all over Vancouver and it was sweet and exciting. I am no longer a Pride Parade virgin! Hurrahhh!
Unfortunately, I seem to be always out of town during Pride week in Vancouver and missed it year after year. But this was the year!!! I was determined to finally see the parade with my own eyes!
This past weekend, Mom and I headed down Davie Street towards English Bay right before the parade started. The streets were packed with people, dogs and children (I guess they are people too :P). Parade was a bit of slow start, but by the time the dyke on bike (btw, that is what they call themselves, I am not being rude!) came around, the crowd was going wild over them. It seemed like the entire community came out to cheer on the gays. From policemen, firemen, teachers, media to First Nations, everyone was looking fabulous and shaking their booties! This was Ma’s first time too. She couldn’t believe how beautiful some of the transgender ladies were and super impressed how they can walk in 4 inch heels better than she could.
I was extremely proud to see military presence at the parade. But I would have loved to see a much bigger turnout like the RCMP. They had a platoon marching! Btw, they looked very hot in their red uniform. Last year in Toronto, for the first time, members of Canada's Armed Forces represented the military in Pride parade.
My NuBe Pride Parade experience definitely lived up to the hype. Tolerance and love was no longer just felt, it was heard and seemed all over Vancouver and it was sweet and exciting. I am no longer a Pride Parade virgin! Hurrahhh!
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