A warm, sunny June day brought out a record crowd to this year's Indy Pride Fest and Parade. Crowds easily surpassed a record 25,000 people two years ago. Here are some of the images along Mass Ave I captured this morning from the parade, which started at College & Massachusetts Avenue and ended at Vermont & Pennsylvania at University Park where the Pride Fest took place. This year's Grand Marshal was Del Shores, who is best known for writing and producing Sordid Lives and Southern Baptist Sissies. Several elected officials were on hand, including Rep. David Orentlicher (D), City County Councilors Scott Keller (R), JoAnn Sanders (D), Dane Mahern (D), Jackie Nytes (D) and Marion Co. Auditor Billie Breaux (D). Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) and Mayor Bart Peterson (D) sent letters of support for the event. UPDATE: The Star pegs the number of attendees at over 30,000 according to police. "If the event continues to grow next year, police officers said, more traffic rerouting will be needed," the Star notes. Bil Browning at Bilerico has a nice set of photos you can view by clicking here.
28 comments:
It was truly a nice day! Great weather and great crowd...
By the way, our new Senator Jeannie Breaux was also present and loved the bright rainbow-striped 'cowboy hat' somebody gave her!
Sickening. Why can't gays have a _normal_ parade? Why does one or more parts have to lean a lot further toward sex than other parades? This parade looked normal till the pick with men with no shirts and skimpy shorts. Do the 500 princesses wear their bikinis? I was looking at the first few pics and was thinking: "I wonder how long before this ends up being some freak sex parade." You all know what I am talking about, men in thongs, lesbians topless, etc. etc. Then I saw the pic of the topless, skimpy short lifeguards. Obviously, the exposed butt chaps can't be too far behind.
anon 7:23 wrote, "This parade looked normal till the pick with men with no shirts and skimpy shorts. Do the 500 princesses wear their bikinis?"
At every parade I've ever attended where a high school band performed, including the 500 Festival Parade, there were always color guard or baton-twirlers dressed in tight, skimpy outfits. It's funny you aren't bothered by the sexualization of adolescents on parade in front of adults but you are highly offended by adult men wearing what you can see at any public pool or beach.
I think the 500 princesses should wear bikinis during the parade. Of course so should the drivers. Imagine AJ Foyt in a thong. That is dead sexy
I notice that you approve of sexual deviate conduct but won't allow a supportive post just because it show the true colors of certain CCC members.
AI is as bad as INDYU!!!!!
Unless the law has been changed very recently, calling a person homosexual or lesbian untruthfully is libel per se meaning no actual damages have to be proven by the aggrieved party. Unless you have proof that'll stand up in a court of law, don't go around slinging such accusations. The blog owner was wise in deleting the offending comment.
By the way, the legal test isn't the mere offensiveness of the comment but the falsity as well as the damages. Saying I am overweight and have pink hair is true today. Saying that about Mitch Daniels may be untruthful but not terrible damaging. His supporters might find it offensive (or silly). Stating Mitch Daniels uses narcotics and accepts bribes without proof is a clear case of libel.
anon 10:04, you obviously have an agenda you're trying to pursue against certain CCC members. I suggest you start your own blog, put your name to it and take responsibility for what you write. You aren't going to be able to pursue it here.
The anonymous nobody slinging around phrases like "you approve of sexual deviate conduct" is also indulging herself in libel. Sexual deviate conduct specifically refers to sexual activity that is illegal such as prohibited by use of force (rape), age limitations (child molest) or payment (prostitution).
Indy Gay Pride and this blog celebrates and advocates none of that prohibited conduct. Indiana law since 1974 and the US Supreme Court since 1996(?) has made same-sex sexual activity perfectly legal.
We're here -- we're queer -- we're legal -- get over it!!!
Just like IndyU!
Afraid of the WHOLE truth. Only putting up your version of it!!
If one has proof that'll stand up in an open court of law, I'm sure the blog-owner might consider allowing accusations of dykery. Without solid proof, he'd be quite unwise to permit libelous statements. He has assets to protect.
One of the most notorious and prolific slanderers in Indianapolis is poor as a churchmouse -- she has a pile of unpaid judgments. It makes no sense to sue her for libel or slander since you can't get blood out of a turnip, you can't retrieve damages from a deadbeat. She is judgment-proof...
I usually disagree with Wilson46201, because I think he his normally wrong. (especially on political issues). In this case, he is right.
Homosexuality is not a crime. Whatever was deleted probably should have been. Who really cares about someones sexual orientation anyway. As long as he or she is a decent person.
CCC members are out to get votes. They don't care who the votes come from, provided they are legal votes. Don't attack the CCC members for wanting votes. It's how they keep their jobs.
Several famous peopel are / were gay. Ellen Degeneras, Rosie Odonell, Freddie Mercury (of Queen), Plato, Rock hudson, Gomer Pyle, (i forget his real name), Berry Manilow (who has at least 1 good song), Elton John, (several good songs). There was even a Supreme Court Justice who was (closeted) gay. (if you don't know. I won't tell you who it was)
If you don't like the parade, don't go! Problem solved!! I'm glad they had a nice time.
Blogs are made by people to let other know THEIR point of veiw ond to tel;l THEIR side of the story.
This one, Indyundercover, TakingDownWords, my blog. all of them. Some have only one agenda, some are just there to tell about life experiences.
The owners have a right to delete all comments. The possible slanderous one and even the good ones. May even delete this one.
thats AI right to do so!
Like AI says, if you want your own blog, go get.
I know who you are talking about Wilson. Can you PROVE her slander????
She makes the outrageous charges and then demands one disprove them. In America, one is innocent until proven guilty - she tries to turn that topsy-turvy, that you are guilty until you prove your innocence to her satisfaction.
Anybody that's been around the block once or twice in politics knows to disregard her incessant gossip. She preys on the newly gullible. Anonymous slanders on the Internet is her new stock-in-trade...
Wow. What a comment thread. Besides the bad taste shown by one of your readers, your pictures were great. We have a set of photos up as well. I had a good time sitting in your booth with you for a while yesterday, Gary.
". Then I saw the pic of the topless, skimpy short lifeguards. Obviously, the exposed butt chaps can't be too far behind."
...Actually there was a guy there (float participant) wearing just that - resembled Agador Spartacus from "The BirdCage." He was also very sweet upon talking with him. I'm not so sure that the nudity was legal, but it was certainly mildly enjoyable --- not to take away from the obvious 'real' themes of diversity and acceptance the parade esopused.
I can relay a story that may give anonymous slanderers something to think about.
During the election of 2004, the GayIndy listserv, which in pre-blog days was a lively discussion vehicle, was visited by an anonymous poster who seemed to come from nowhere, and in the course of advocating for his candidate, also posted inflammatory personal attacks, some of which in many people's mind crossed the line into slander.
This individual identified himself with a first and last name, and it was apparent that he knew his way around the local GLBT community. But no-one knew who he was, and it was quite apparent that he was concealing his true identity. After much pressing, he finally admitted that the name he was using was a pseudonym, claiming to be married and closeted and thus he needed to protect his identity. The attacks continued unabated, and one prominent list member in particular found himself the subject of most of these attacks.
Most of has had grown weary of this individual, and finally an astute computer-savvy list member did some sleuthing, using the electronic "tracks" that we leave when we use the internet for communication.
He was able to positively identify the individual, who it turns out is a prominent, wealthy, and quite well-connected member of the GLBT community. He 'fessed up and defended his actions in a post signed with his real name, but in my mind, he suffered significant public embarrassment and his reputation took a serious hit.
It should be pointed out that the victim of many of his attacks came through the ordeal with his reputation and integrity fully intact. And to add insult to injury, the guilty party's candidate lost the election.
Bottom line is when using electronic media for communication, you are never completely anonymous. Before posting anonymously, one should give pause as to what the consequences might be if your identity were discovered. If someone puts forth the effort, you can be identified.
dykery.
Wilson, is that a word???
"At every parade I've ever attended where a high school band performed, including the 500 Festival Parade, there were always color guard or baton-twirlers dressed in tight, skimpy outfits."
Funny thing, the girls are wearing more clothing than the GROWN men in this "parade." Sorry, but I just saw more photos. Mr. Leather and a some float with a guy wearing the tightest, smallest outfight I have ever seen (outside of a totally nude sex parade). At least with color guard, wearing these sorts of outfits (I don't see any as "sexual", more like ballet), it has been like that for a long time. Since when has Indiana had a need for lifeguards in skimpy shorts? What pool or beach were these guys promoting? What about the Mr. Leather--I don't see much sexual bondage in everyday life. Sorry, but these "parades" are not pride "parades," they are sex parades.
Since you didn't say anything, I guess you would be ok with grown men wearing thongs and buttless chaps during these gay pride parades? Let me guess "Well, if the color guard can wear..blah blah blah." If color guards are wearing skimpy outfits covering only 10%-15% of their body, please show me some photos because I don't believe it. However, just because someone might think it is sexual, that gives grown gay men the right to march around in thongs and butt-less chaps.
Sexual deviate conduct specifically refers to sexual activity that is illegal such as prohibited by use of force (rape), age limitations (child molest) or payment (prostitution).
Wrong. Check IC 35-41-1-9. "Sexual deviate conduct" is defined and it is not criminal. However, the acts are criminal when done as discribed in IC 35-42-4-2.
Indiana law defines sexual deviate conduct as one thing (not criminal) and criminal deviate conduct as something else (criminal act).
...Actually there was a guy there (float participant) wearing just that - resembled Agador Spartacus from "The BirdCage." He was also very sweet upon talking with him. I'm not so sure that the nudity was legal, but it was certainly mildly enjoyable --- not to take away from the obvious 'real' themes of diversity and acceptance the parade esopused.
Sick. My kids will never be going to this love parade. Sounds like an adults only deal.
I just think that a parade should follow the law. A lot of times, these "Gay pride" parades are nothing more than public displays of homosexual hedonism. If the grown men can wear exposed butt chaps, then the PETA folks should be able to walk around totally naked. In fact, any group should be able to do this and folks should not be able to complain, even when it is right outside their front door.
There's an old Russian folk saying: "Any stick will do to beat a horse." The above commenter is just so extremely desperate to find some reason to disparage the very successful and growing Gay Pride Parade in Indianapolis. The very existence of LGBT folk probably disturbs the whining anonymous commenter.
As I said before:
We're here -- we're queer -- we're legal -- GET OVER IT !
Well, 5:22, good luck with raising kids. While you're throwing your prudish hissy-fits, your kids are being bombarded with human sexuality from all directions--TV, school, friends, you name it.
Perhaps you would appreciate a society where women are required to be covered from head to toe and all things that didn't meet your approval were banished. There are such places, but they leave a bit to be desired...
"Well, 5:22, good luck with raising kids. While you're throwing your prudish hissy-fits, your kids are being bombarded with human sexuality from all directions--TV, school, friends, you name it."
In other words: "Because it is ok that this stuff is on TV, at school, and with friends then it must be ok and therefore allowed anywhere."
My kids will know that gay pride=grown men and women wanting to run around nearly naked. They will be made to understand it is more about the one day they can be freaks in public and engage in sexual fantasy than about any sort of "pride." If pride is about wearing butt-less covering chaps and thongs, then maybe every gay man in the city should wear buttless cover chaps and thongs (with nothing else) to work everyday. I mean, that sort of clothing is about pride, not sex...right?
A wise and loving parent would quickly disabuse young minds of any misconceptions that may be picked up erroneously from viewing the world and all its variety of inhabitants. Sadly, the parent in question here is probably desperately teaching its spawn to be as hateful and misinformed as she currently is. Luckily, the younger generation is getting over the centuries of ignorance, fear and hate still weighing down some old fuddy-duddies...
The dogs bark but the caravan moves on ...
5:22 Why not teach your children to be individuals? Teach the HOW to think for themselves, not WHAT to think.
I don't think I would allow my youngest to go, butthe oldest is old enough to understand that the costumes are just that. Costumes.
A closed mind should also come with a close mouth.
While I do not agree with homosexuality, I do respect the rights of homosexuals to be proud of themselves as members of sosiety!
As wrong as you are most of the time Wilson, You bring out some valid points on this post!
anon 7:23 wrote, "This parade looked normal till the pick with men with no shirts and skimpy shorts. Do the 500 princesses wear their bikinis?"
You can see men mowing their lawns in exactly same thing just about every day of the week (except I only seem to see the ones with huge beer bellies instead of ones looking like these cuties!) I wonder if anon 7:23 would object if the 500 princesses _did_ wear their bikinis? All you have to do is look at the Indianapolis 500 for an entire month every year to see a _lot_ more bare flesh than is showing here. Heck, my family goes to GenCon every year and there are usually some pretty skimpy costumes there as well! It's all done in fun! The US needs to throw off its puritanical attitude towards the human body and sex, both of which are beautiful and to be celebrated.
As a heterosexual, middle-aged mother of 3, I'm proud to say that I have successfully raised my children to think for themselves, have strong convictions about the equality of ALL citizens and to abhor the use of labels and stereotypes to demean others. Of course, they've listened to me rant enough about all of these things, how could they not feel the same way?
I'm so glad you had a great day for this festival! I wanted to come myself but I couldn't find anyone who could come with me. Next year for sure! And I have no qualms about bringing my teenage children with me!
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