We now mark the infamous Stonewall Riots every June with a parade through town. The first Gay Pride parade was really a march through the streets of New York to protest the unfair treatment of gay men by police at the Stonewall Inn in 1969.If you want to join in, here are some handy tips to keep in mind. While the day is all about being gayer than Liza Minnelli singing 'Single Ladies' in a Sex and the City movie, we love it when our straight allies come out and lend their support. So, one doesn't so much 'go to Pride' as one 'does Pride.' Every gay observes it differently, but it really is the one time of the year when all the leather daddies, bull dykes, twinks, alternaqueers, trannies, drag queens, femmes, circuit boys, bois (who are actually girls), and all the other wonderful gay archetypes rub elbows in a giant celebration of living somewhere over the rainbow. Much like Mardi Gras in New Orleans, it is a collection of parades, rallies, parties, private events, functions, fundraisers, and bead throwing. There are picnics and fireworks and lots of drinking and it's all about freedom! Pride isn't really one single occurrence. If Halloween is Gay Christmas and the Oscars is the Gay Super Bowl, then Pride is Gay Fourth of July. You should come join the party! But first, here are a few things you need to know before joining the fun. If you are a opposite-gender lover you may not know this is Gay Pride Weekend in New York.
