Is it any coincidence that Pride month is held as soon as the weather gets hot enough to justify taking your shirt off in the city? I don’t think so.
A lot of people I know are completely over Pride. They think it’s a relic of a time (not so long ago) when we had hardly any rights or visibility. Or worse, they think it’s a freak show that emphasizes the “fringe” elements of our community to the detriment of the rest of our tribe.
Still others think it’s gotten too confrontational now that people with opposing viewpoints are given the opportunity to spew vile hatred from their bullhorns outside our festival. (I’m so sorry! I meant to type, “speak their views” … My fingers have a mind of their own sometimes.)
I don’t care what anyone else says, Pride will always mean a great deal to me. I’ll never forget the summer right after I graduated high school in 1985 when I snuck up to New York City from Wilmington, Del., for my very first Pride March. That part was easy. The hard part was trying to explain the sunburn the next day to my parents, who had forbidden me to go.
It was worth getting grounded (that happened to me a lot back then). It was the first time I felt like I fit in instead of being an outcast. It was the first time I felt truly happy being gay. I remember looking around me and smiling and laughing and feeling amazed by absolutely everyone and everything I saw, whether I understood what I was seeing or not.
If there’s even the slightest chance that some kid will experience that same feeling of joy and acceptance for the very first time at a Pride march, then I say it’s still relevant.
So bring on the half-naked guys and the freaks and the geeks and the conservative suburbanites and, yes, even the crazy right-wing protesters. I love it all!
Logo’s ‘Drag Race’ Tour
If you read this column regularly, by now you probably know that I love me some drag queens. If you do too, then I’ve got great news for you! This weekend you have a chance to see three spectacular performers in one amazing show. And to top it off, they’re all Heathers!
That’s right: Carmen Carrera, Manila Luzon and Season Three winner Raja will all be performing on Logo’s Drag Race Tour on June 10 when it hits Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St. Doors open at 9 p.m. so get there early to carve yourself out a good spot on the floor. The show will be hosted by Isis, who will be joined by gorgeous local divas Nevaya Shay, Satine Harlow and Omyra Lynn. For more information, see www.voyeurnightclub.com.
Like everything even remotely connected with “Drag Race,” it’s all sponsored by Absolut Vodka. Don’t they know some queens like to drink whiskey?
Miss Richfield 1981
As if that wasn’t enough for one weekend, Philadelphia is also being graced with the presence of the amazing Miss Richfield 1981 at 8 p.m. June 11 at the Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. Eighth St.
On tour with her “30 Years on the Throne” show, Miss Richfield 1981, who hails from Minnesota, has been described as a cross between Garrison Keillor and Mary Tyler Moore. I don’t know how she does it, but somehow she manages to get the perfect mix of down-home charm and outrageously inappropriate humor. She is truly one of a kind.
Later, Miss Richfield 1981 will head to Tavern on Camac, 243 S. Camac St., for a special after-party in the Ascend Lounge. For more information, see www.missrichfield.com and www.tavernoncamac.com.
Philadelphians MC
Also on June 11, you can catch up with the men of Philadelphians MC at their annual Pre-Pride Social at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St. They’ll be on the main floor serving up cold draft beer from 9 p.m.-midnight. For more information, see www.philadelphiansmc.org or www.thebikestop.com.
Professional Soccer Players
If Philadelphia Pride weekend doesn’t completely wear you out, then get ready for a chance to get up close and personal with some real live professional athletes.
Don’t miss your chance to hang with the women of Independence, Philadelphia’s very own professional women’s soccer team. They’ll be at Stir, 1705 Chancellor St., on June 18 from 10 p.m. until closing for a social that will feature drink specials, prizes and DJs JD and Jivey. For more information, see www.stirphilly.com.
Questions, comments or news about upcoming events? Contact Jim at [email protected].