Pride Month has almost come and gone, it always seems so brief, too brief in fact. As is tradition I was in Boston for the Pride celebration there, which was amazing, as always. There is nothing like it ever. Spending the day with friends enjoying the progress and openness of the city. I said on Queerty the other day, while the queer community does a lot stupid shit regularly, Pride is very much like shower that just washes it all away and lets you start over again. I always inadvertently realize and re-appreciate all of the good traits the queer community has to offer.

I remember when I was visiting someone had asked where all of the conservatives protesters would be standing during the parade, and I laughed because I could not for the life of me ever remember coming across any, besides the usual folks that stand in the Boston Common that hold up "Jesus or Hell" signs. I told the person that it was Boston, conservatives have long since given up on this place so there really are no major protest.

We did see one guy who stood by the parade route. I heard several participants in the Parade came up to him and took silly pictures with him as he frowned. Only in Boston. There were some others gathered, but they were only a handful and really did not bother anyone.

I've spent a lot of time contemplating what my "Pride entry" should be about, and have had extreme difficulty coming up with something. There is always more to talk about than there seems room in one blog post. So much has happened since last year's pride, it's almost two unrecognizable worlds. And yet, there is still so much to do.

One (rather handsome) blogger, Knuckle Crack, also known as Eric Levin, who I read regularly wrote an entry for his blog that summed up my thoughts pretty well on Pride this year. I figured if he could do it so well I shouldn't waste time trying to redo it, but rather point readers of this entry in his direction.

Here's an excerpt:

Ordinarily I'd try and write some lovey-dovey, all inclusive post about Pride. I would probably make it more difficult on myself by trying to write in prose, be dramatic and aim for the tear ducts. I'd struggle to tap into that root source of what all the love and visibility and pride truly mean. But I don't feel like it this year. I know what it all means. I know how love and visibility and pride twacks my heart and stirs my consciousness. I don't need to convince myself any further...

...Walking with Drags, the Dykes and the entire community one bewildering question came to mind repeatedly, "How can anyone hate our community? Why would anyone want to detract from this color, this vibrancy, this diversity, this joy?" Never have I seen a greater celebration of life than within these marches. It's all so motivating, so inspiring: the fight, the cause, the oppression, celebration, tragedy and romantics that is our lifestyle. All of us together under the same banner. A community. The thought alone drives light into my body, surging through my veins and beaming out of my pores.

Please read the rest of Levin's thoughts on Pride 2009 here.