GAY PRIDE — THE FAMILY EDITION
There’s actually a cute story behind this behind.
I caught sight of this kid — he couldn’t have been older than 16 or 17 — at San Francisco’s Gay Pride March. He was wearing khakis as you can see, paired with a plaid button-down shirt.
He was blonde and absolutely adorable in that Kansas corn-fed sort of way and he was accompanied by his mother and father.
But not only that, because they, in turn, were accompanied by THEIR mother and father.
Both generations of parents were impeccably turned out — the women is sun dresses and the men in khaki trou, ties and blue blazers.
Both dad and granddad were seriously handsome with incredible heads of silver hair and you could see exactly what this kid was going to look like as he aged.
I was desperate to catch up to them and tried repeatedly but without luck to get a family picture as I stalked them.
For the life of me I couldn’t figure out what their story was but right after I got this butt shot I got within hearing range of the little group and heard grand mom as they stood and stared at the mass of people dancing in the street near the stage at the Civic Center.
She said, “Don’t you want to go out there and dance with them sweetie? This is your Gay Pride as much as it is theirs.”
As I watched and listened to their conversation it because apparent to me that the kid had just come out to his family and that they had all gotten dressed up in order accompany their newly out child to his first Pride as a gesture of solidarity for their loved one and to introduce him to his new community.
Sometimes people surprise me and make me rethink the generally low esteem I have for my fellow man.
July 3rd, 2012 at 6:59 am
That is definitely a GREAT story. Like you, I don’t have much faith in people but every once in a while a little magic happens. Just imagine what the world would be like if every family, regardless the situation, made this kind of effort to support one another. That is the world I dream of.
July 3rd, 2012 at 7:12 am
Crap. This made me cry a little.
July 3rd, 2012 at 7:13 am
While I appreciate the story in that this newly out kid had the support of his parents and grandparents, I appreciate it more in that they were dressed respectably. I think most pride parades (I’m generalizing from the NYC parade) could use some classing up. It doesn’t always need to be about sex, with boobs, nips, and nuts hanging out. Pride parades are first and foremost a social communal gathering, paying respect to each other as a community and giving thanks to the civic leaders who support us. I’d much rather be seen by a politician in khakis and a button down than in a jock strap and a tank top, as I believe it garners more respect for the LGBT community.
July 3rd, 2012 at 7:20 am
On the other hand…how would you have felt at 16 dancing with ANYONE in public in front of your grandmother? Not to mention the painful process of finding someone to dance WITH at Gay Pride when you’re underage–in full view of your ‘rents and grand’rents! Oh the humanity!
July 3rd, 2012 at 7:30 am
You just made me cry…
July 3rd, 2012 at 7:59 am
Yeah, thanks for making me cry this early in the morning…
July 3rd, 2012 at 8:16 am
That was very nice.
July 3rd, 2012 at 8:32 am
Dana, you are soooooo right. I can just hear the kid saying, “Jeez, Gramma!” and rolling his eyes. How fantastic it is that it’s so normal.
Scott, once again your big, softy heart shines through.
July 3rd, 2012 at 9:32 am
Jesus Frakking Baltar. Scott stop trying to destroy my cynicism with hope for the future! Seriously though, this choked me up, mostly out of “awwww”, partly out of jealousy. I wish I coulda done that at 16 instead of being threatened with Camp Exodus & forced back into the closet for 3 more years.
July 3rd, 2012 at 10:48 am
Great story. Thank you for sharing!
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:06 am
The number of men I have know who’s lives could have been so much better if they’d lived with people like this instead of the parents fate dealt them is legion. God, I’m tearing up again. Thanks for sharing a sign that what we’ve all hoped for is beginning to happen.
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:17 am
The Bf and I had a similar experience at NY Pride last weekend. We were on Christopher looking for a shady spot to stop and watch the parade and noticed this hot, butch, little latino kid (about 16/17) standing in a doorway…so we, of course, moved in next to him. After a few minutes his phone rang, he had it on speaker…this is how the conversation went:
latino Kid- Hey…sup?
Voice on Phone- I just stopped by your house. your Mom said you ain’t home…Where u at?
LK-(pausing)…ummm, I’m in the village.
VoP-What the fuck u doin there? Ain’t that Gay shit going on today?
LK-Yea…That’s why I’m here…I came out da closet.
VoP-WHAT!?
LK-I came out da closet…I’m Gay.
Vop-NO FUCKIN WAY!
LK-Yea…I’m Gay.
Vop-(long pause) Who u wit?
LK-Nobody. I came alone.
VoP-(another long pause) Aw SHIT!…U shoulda told me. I’d a come wit u…I don’t care if u Gay…U know ur still my boy.
LK-REALLY!?
VoP- Yea! Of course!…U still my boy…Maybe now girls will be all up in my shit instead of yours…Call me when u get back uptown…we’ll talk.
LK-Ok…ciao.
And with years streaming down his face he hung up the phone put it in his pocket and walked up Christopher towards 8th Ave.
Just when you become convinced that everyone outside of your immediate circle is a worthless piece of shit…along comes (the disembodied voice of) the straight friend of a newly out Gay kid to restore your faith in humanity. At least a little bit.
July 3rd, 2012 at 1:33 pm
Thanks for sharing the story. Certainly, our fellow humans do surprise us in oh so many ways…
July 3rd, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Scott: maybe they had all come from church.
Two or three years ago, at LA Pride, I saw a 21 yr old actor from a TV series, with a woman friend, watching on the curb. I thought of the usual Hollywood bullshit, where they don’t want to use Gay actors, except the flamboyant, non-threatening ones.
Look how fast things are changing this year -
July 3rd, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Damned moving. now THAT is true family love and solidarity!
July 3rd, 2012 at 2:48 pm
Beautiful story.
July 3rd, 2012 at 4:58 pm
That is one lucky young man….and you made me cry!
July 3rd, 2012 at 6:52 pm
You bitch, you just made me cry!
July 3rd, 2012 at 7:50 pm
I was at the Seattle Pride parade. And there was a couple next to me. A young-ish girl, and an older man. I thought they were friends just hanging out. But later it became apparent to me that they were daughter / father. I looked more carefully and she appeared to be early college age. I guess the dad was there as chaperon.
July 3rd, 2012 at 9:09 pm
@futomaki Yes, Gay Pride needs Class more than anything. I’m proud to have marched in my button down last year, when I went. These stories are just heartwarming, and you know those kids are raised right.
July 3rd, 2012 at 10:25 pm
That was very touching. The world needs so many more moments like this one.
July 4th, 2012 at 12:41 am
Blessings on him and his wonderful family.
July 4th, 2012 at 5:14 am
Big lump in my throat….dammitt!
July 4th, 2012 at 6:12 am
That you man has a great future behind him…
July 4th, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Two thoughts. First a story like this helps restore my faith in human nature when it flags – so thanks for sharing. Second I have always thought that, sadly, there is a lot of truth in the South Pacific song ‘You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear…..’ – so keep up the good work.
July 4th, 2012 at 7:41 pm
Thank you, I really needed that!
I can not imagine a day not visiting BIE
July 6th, 2012 at 9:34 am
“the damned don’t cry…”
once again you got me all boo-hooey, thanks Mister
July 12th, 2012 at 8:45 pm
Awesome! Would love to marry into that family. Thanks