Happy Pride!

This is Pride Weekend in Rochester.  I will be volunteering at and attending several of the events.  First, the opening ceremony on Friday evening will include a ride-in of Ride for Pride participants called the Rainbow Ride.  This is where you'll be able to see my promise of rainbow-dyed hair fulfilled.  Thank you all again for helping to meet my fundraising goal!

On Saturday at 1PM, the Pride Parade steps off - from right in my neighborhood.  I'll be doing parade-marshal duties with my bike, running from one spot to another.  Then later that day is the Pride Festival at MLK Park.  Jill and I will both be working the admissions desk.

Finally on Sunday we're going to the Pride Picnic in Genesee Valley Park.  Nothing for us to do at this event but relax.  I think we'll be all ready for that!

Why do we volunteer for the Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley?  Each of us has some direct experience, albeit not as pervasive, of the kind of discrimination that LGBTQA* people face every day.  Discrimination that is still legal in many states, with respect to employment and housing.  Marriage was a huge victory last month, but look around at the inchoate rage that it has stirred up again.  Why?  I don't think we can rest until that kind of attitude is as thoroughly discredited as the KKK.

Besides, it's a no-brainer.