Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Queertastic!

This past weekend was one of my favorite times of the year.


The Utah Pride Festival!



This is a 3 day festival in celebration of gay, lesbian, transgender, & bisexual individuals. For us who have gay or lesbian family members and friends, we come together and join in the festivities and educational activities to show our support. You will never see a more diverse group of people come together like this anywhere else. At least I haven't!






Sunday is the biggest day of the event where they have a parade in the morning and various concerts throughout the day. I have to admit that I have missed the parade every year because I sleep in.

Come on, it's the weekend, that's what I do best!




But I hear it is queertastic! Now I'm warning you now, if you can't handle pictures of half naked men and girl on girl action, this post is not for you! Okay so holding hands is about all I found for the girl on girl action, but still. I also need to warn you that you will see mullets.

Yes. Mullets.

Alright here is some hand holding and mullet goodness all in one pic! Take it all in folks, that mullet is classic!




Classic.

Girls, there is eye candy everywhere! And your husbands can't even feel threatened because they are all gay. (The eye candy, not your husbands. At least I hope your husbands aren't gay, if they are then you have a serious case of fruit blindness and you should probably get that checked at your next eye appointment. Just sayin.)






Lindee (lil sis) and Logan (lil sis's son) got in on all the action, but I don't think Logan had as much fun...I have no idea why not.




There was one thing missing though...their asses!




Seriously, where did they all go?






Maybe this has something to do with it.




I kid, I kid! And I can kid because Lin and I are tight with the gay folk. They love us and we love them even more.






And like I said, there were all types of gays there. The flamboyant ones.




And some that were still in the closet. (If you can't read this guys shirt, it says "Nobody Knows I'm Gay" Ha! I love it!)




Even the pets were gay.




I feel bad that I had to leave my gay kitties at home. They don't do well in public and like to keep their lifestyle private, but they sent their love.

Now look at this beautiful Mastiff. I saw this dog and about died, he reminded me so much of my sweet Bain! And when I heard his familiar deep bark I almost cried, I love Mastiffs!






Now my favorite booth to visit every year is the GLDS. Of course this booth is not supported by the LDS (mormon) church, but it's a booth to show support for gays and lesbians that are or were LDS.




My favorite thing to look at is the missionary map. Anyone who is gay or lesbian and went on an LDS mission come to put a little flag on the state or country where they served. The map is always so full of flags that you can hardly see the map underneath! Unfortunately I couldn't find it this year so I don't have a pic for you.




I'm not one to get offended, I understand people have their own beliefs and feelings about issues such as this so I'm open to hearing your opinions. I don't judge, I'd just like to know what everyone else thinks and since this has been a popular subject in the news lately I just wanna know,


What's your view on this lifestyle? Do you support gay marriage?


Come on, spill it!

63 comments:

Jon and Steph said...

How fun! I'm so glad you posted this. My brother is gay. I think gay people should be allowed to get married, (and I grew up in a Republican family) ;) I think everyone deserves to be happy. and If my bro wants to hang with the dudes and it makes him happy, so be it ;)

Sara said...

Great post! It inspires me to make some rainbow leggins or thigh-highs. LOL I crack up that one of your links is "I'm a Sinner". With the teen, I've been thrust pretty quickly into the gay/bi world. All her friends seem to be gay or bi. It's made for some interesting sex ed convos.

Stacy said...

Seriously I want to come with you guys next year. I've never heard of it but I'd love to go and show my support next year.

Stacy said...

Seriously I want to come with you guys next year. I've never heard of it but I'd love to go and show my support next year.

Janalyn and Rob said...

How fun!! I had no idea they had that in UT. Our Gay Pride Parade and Festival is coming up in a few weeks...I will have to report back on it. :)

Jill said...

That looks like SOOOO much fun! I'm all for gay marriage. I don't see any reason that it SHOULDN'T be legal. Honestly. none at all.

Kristina P. said...

My work had a booth there, as they do every year. I really wish I had gone and helped out. I have never been!

3 Bay B Chicks said...

Oh, my darling little friend, you really do need to come to San Francisco. It is like this everyday here. :)

Kidding...kind of.

Do I support gay marriage? Absolutely. They too should be subject to the greatness that it is to be shackled to the same person for life.

Don't hate, people.

-Francesca

Unknown said...

re: your last post on the dead body in the trash can full of ice...i totally shouldn't have followed the link. this just reiterates to me that a lot of people should die painfully for hurting others. for shiz.

in regards to this post, though...AWESOME. i do not have any friends or family (i think;) who are gay. Oh wait! i just had two girlfriends free themselves of the "secret"! gosh, i can't believe I forgot:)

but i suppose i forgot because I DON'T CARE. i love these women for their beauty, strength, humour, and the love they share with me and their combined GA-zillion kids.

why would anyone wish to fuck with someones happiness just because they don't like it? it boggles my mind.

there is so much nasty shit surrounding us...like people sticking 9 year old kids in ice water and killing him, or a mother smothering her 3 year old and burying him in her local sandbox...what the hell?

i support love, kindness, and happiness.

what is wrong with our world?...sigh...i should never ever watch the news.

andy

p.s. sorry for the rant. i have some inner rage issues today. plus, i think i may need a reeelax pill and that pisses me off too.

p.p.s. or a glass of wine.

Rebecca Jo said...

Boy oh boy... gay men have the BEST ABS!!!! And lesbians... the Home Depot look is really that attractive? :)

I have many family members who are gay - friends who are gay - I love them all...

Do I believe gay marriage should be legal? not sure... I know the Bible is against it, but its also against ALL sin that we ALL do daily... I dont judge - only God does - we're only called to love.

Alexis AKA MOM said...

How fun! Looks like you all had fun, well most of you ... :)

I've always been on the side of who am I to judge or say what is right or wrong. There is someone bigger and better than me to do that. I say enjoy life be who you are as long as it doesn't hurt anyone.

Just like I tell the people who call in and are screaming at me about the adult toy show. I work for a call center on the weekends and one of the clients is a adult toy show on Oxygen. As I tell them you don't like you don't have to watch. Freedom you have to change the channel or move away from it :).

mommakin said...

Support - celebrate - pick your semantics, I'm all for it. The heart wants what it wants - for my commitment to my partner to be more acceptable because I'm straight is flat out ridonkulous.

And those were some righteous mullets.

Lee said...

That looks like a crap load of fun.
I should go to a gay pride festival at some point.
Maybe I could make them think I was a very well made up drag queen?

Suzi said...

Not sure....

The Wife O Riley said...

One of my favorite events here in Chicago is the Gay Pride Parade. It's coming up at the end of the month. Matt and I made shirts that say Gay for a Day.

I absolutely think that they should be able to get married and then adopt 100 kids! Hell, I have 2 here that they can have!

MsTypo said...

I absolutely support gay marriage. Without question or hesitation.

Anonymous said...

Hahaha! Logan's face! Hahaha!

Even the pets were gay! I can't believe the kitties didn't get to go.

I'm all for gay marriage!

Julia said...

Gay Day looks like it was lots of fun. Leave 'em alone. Let them be! Who cares.... well too many people care in the bad way.

Let the gay folk marry.

Ryan Ashley Scott said...

Let them marry! I'm for it.

My brother, who is really funny, had this to say: "...I'm straight but single. Can I transfer my wedding credit to a gay person who wants to be miserable forever?"

AdriansCrazyLife said...

That was fun. I was looking through the pictures to see if there was anyone there that I know!

Seriously though, I was just thinking the other day that I need to scare up some gay guy friends. I was a Performing Arts major in school, so most of my friends were gay and they made great friends, a lot better than most girlfriends, I think. I've had a lot of girlfriends turn kind of mean on me, so I have a hard time making friends with women anymore.

Linds Forrest said...

Love the pics! Especially the mullet. Had a college profressor that had a classic 'Kentucky WaterFalls' It was beautiful. On gay lifestyle... we're all human and should be loved and treated as so. Just because someone chooses {yes I do believe it's a choice. I believe a lot of people have tendencies} they should in no way be treated any differently.

Kathy B! said...

I support gay marriage and equal benefits. I sometimes wonder if marriage were removed from the equation entirely (gay unions) but with all of the same legal benefits and considerations of a regular marriage, if there wouldn't be broader acceptance. Probably not... I say live and let live, and embrace the differences that make us all unique... but I'm from San Fran. :)

Anonymous said...

Awesome post...as a straight woman with two children, I take it as the ultimate compliment when a gay male friend loves my outfit and find it even more complimentary when I am hit on by a woman -- hey, they can be more picky than men!

Anonymous social worker said...

HAHA, EVEN THE PETS WERE GAY!
there is just something about a 40 something bald guy in a rainbow speedo that screams gay.

Justine said...

Damn, why can't we have something like this near me? I would so fit right in. I love me some gays!!! Have you met Jason, from The Jason Show blog? He used to be mormon and is definitely gay. Love him to death.
Yes, I absolutely support gay marriage. I even have a sticker on my blog that says Love is never wrong!

Justine :o )

Dawn Parsons Smith said...

Fruit blindness...hee hee hee....

I totally support gay marriage. Love is love!

LadyStyx said...

Some of those pix were down right priceless.

AiringMyLaundry said...

I love these pictures! That looks like so much fun.

I totally support gay marriage. Who am I to say that two people who are in love can't get married?

I always wish that I had a gay best friend. They seem like they'd be awesome friends.

Anna Lefler said...

Rainbow-tastic!

Enjoy...

:-D Anna

Jennifer Lee said...

Well you know I love the gays! It looks like you had such a wonderful time! I'll definitely hit it up with you next year!

Reinvent Dad said...

I can't get over the fact that this festival was in UTAH. Actually looked like a lot of fun.

As far as gay marriage...I'm not going to lie. I'm still on the fence and voted "Yes" (which meant "no") for California's Prop 8 last year.

Who am I to say that any two people who happen to be the same sex can not love and eventually commit to each other, but it's not "marriage" by biblical definition. It's domestic partnership.

Also, living in California I've been extremely turned off by frequent gay in your face protests, and the media's incessant featured articles on gay marriage.

Were there a lot of children at this festival? Just my thoughts...Now everyone may hate me, but that's OK...my opinion.

Liz Mays said...

This just goes to prove to me how much I've missed you! It also kinda makes me want to be gay.

Jason, as himself said...

Thanks to Justine for bringing us together!

Having grown up in Utah, and being gay, I am so happy that this is happening in Salt Lake. I never would have imagined.

My spouse and I are one of the 18,000 couples in California that are legally married--we were married in July of last year.

And may I respectfully comment on one of your readers? "Reinvent Dad" is an example of the reason why gays and lesbians in Calfornia had the right to marry taken away. It was a very close election, and we're hoping that we can help the fence sitters realize that domestic partnership is separate, not equal.

He's right. I'm sure our cause does seem "in the face" of those against equality. Believe me, if somebody yanked away one of his most prized rights, he would be in other people's faces, too.

Thank you for this post!!! It gives me hope in Utah.

Michelle said...

Hey, to each his own right! I always tell my husband if we ever break up I am having me a woman next time so I will have a partner that thinks the same way I do!

I have been missing you girly. I have been very busy. My girl is heavy into softball, we are on the road this weekend playing 8 games. My boy graduated from 8th grade and is now gonna be a freshman, daaaaannnngg, I am getting old. I got head lunch lady at work and that was keeping me busy but now I have the summer off and we are putting a pool in the back yard! I can't keep up with all of it.

I am reading a new vamp series by by PC Cast. The first is called Marked. You might like it.

I wanna see Hangover!! We just saw Land of the Lost and Night at the Museum. Waiting for Pelham 123 and Year One and Funny People. Oh, and Harry Potter and Transformers and GI Joe. We are going to be busy. Can't beat bargin Tuesday. $6 a seat!!!

Have a good one. Be back soon!!

scrappysue said...

looks like an eye-opening tonne of fun. i support ANY loving relationship

Unknown said...

Pride weekend in Atlanta is bananas! I have never been but I know when it is here. People are all over the place! I only haven't been because basically you cant get near it there are so many folks! Okay just why are gay guys the cutest and yes, where are their asses? Fruit blindness...hilarious! I will have to use that one! I am in support of gay marriage. I mean, I really don't get what the problem is. I understand not being in favor the lifestyle...after all it is not for everyone (obviously). But it's like preferring cake over pie. So if someone prefers cake and you like pie, you are going to prevent them from eating cake just "because"? See when you put it like that sounds dumb right? Those who are against it...ask yourselves this...if gay couples are allowed to marry, what does that do to YOU? Do your kids still eat? Do you still have health coverage, a roof over your head, clothes on your back, your car, your life? My guess is your life will be exactly the same. Let them live theirs and be happy just like you are living yours!

Sorry for the soap box moment, Pooba. Also sorry for being a comment slacker on your blog!

black betty said...

to each his/her own. :)

love the pics. you are hilarious.

Tricia McWhorter said...

Glad to hear this is happening in Utah too. San Francisco's Pride festival is in about a week. It's an amazing event. Totally for gay marriage here.

Krissy said...

I'm headed to San Francisco for pride in a couple weeks! Pride festivals are definitely like nothing else!

Melissa aka Equidae said...

What I really dont agree as yet ( it can always change) is for them to raise children but if they wish to get married i fully agree that they should be given that possibility

Christina Lee said...

I have a gay sibling and I dont think you truly know or feel their pain unless you become close to someone. My sibling always says- "I dont even care about the marriage so much but civil unions should have been instituted long ago- I just want to be able to visit my partner in the hospital or share insurance benefits"-makes sense to me!

B said...

Hi, I'm popping over from SITS. I just wanted to say that I love your blog; your humour and openness. It is a breath of fresh air - thanks!

Enjoy your day in the sun :o)

Kimmy @ kimmythingy said...

Great entry! I'm soooooo following you now :-)

My FIL lived the last 15 years with his gay partner, so hubby and I have always been very open and honest about our acceptance of this lifestyle.

This looked like so much fun!

KarieK said...

OMG how fun! My husband's uncle is gay and he would have been in horny gay man heaven there! Great post! Looks like you all were enjoying your time too! What a blast! Stopping in from SITS!
Karie

Sara said...

I'm so glad you took a picture of the GLDS booth because when I saw there was a pride festival in Utah, my first thought was, "I'll bet the Mormons do not have a craft table at this event, bless their hearts."

Looks like a good time!

KrisMrsBBradley said...

Found your blog today via The Apron Goddess, and really liked it until I came to this post.

Then it was love ;O)

I'm a big hag, lol, and love to see posts like this on other people's blogs.

As for the question, I don't understand how in this country there are any people who still do not have their basic civil rights. This is America, for crying out loud!

I think the law should recognize ALL "marriages" as civil unions. All of them -straight or gay, with all the same rights. Then let the churches decide who they want to call "married". No better place than here for a separation of church and state.

There will be plenty of churches that will be happy to perform the ceremonies for everyone. Then we can all have our rights, consider ourselves married, and the fundies can say that the gays are not "really" married, because they didn't do it in the "right" church. And the sane people can all go on ignoring them. Everybody's happy!

Geez, didn't mean to ramble on here! /rant

Lacie @ Creative Attempts said...

I was raised in a strict church environment and I have to give props to my parents because they always taught us the things that they thought were right and wrong but they also taught us that everyone has the right to make those choices and just because we don't lets say smoke doesnt make the person that chooses to smoke a "bad" person. Isn't that how it should be? we have the right to believe what we believe but we are not supposed to judge other peoples choices. I guess i am saying I believe in tolerance!!!

Brandy@YDK said...

I love your blog. I live in the bible belt and work with some closed minded individuals that always give me the stink eye when I tell them I support gay and lesbian rights. I'm all about everyone should get to be happy.

BrnEyedGal said...

LOVE this post....
I think anybody who is lucky enough to find someone that makes them happy...well then go for it!!!

I always ask people who don't believe in gay marriage or equality for gay/lesbions....Who would ask to be born this way? WHo would want to be judged this harshly and treated as second class citizens?

I think having love for everyone is much kinder and more christian like than judging others anyway!!!

I'll try and teach my son that as he grows a bit older....

TheYandR_Lady said...

Did you hear that they are introducing a gay storyline on the Young and the Restless. also that Thom Beirdz will be returning to the show.
http://www.theyandrlady.com/2009/05/20/the-young-and-the-restless-quick-update-on-thom-bierdz/

http://www.theyandrlady.com/?s=rumor+buster

Pseudo said...

You gave me hope for Utah. I had made the incorrect assumption that a gay person would be tempted to leave that state and head somewhere more open minded. So glad to see i was wrong.

You're really a fun SITS visit.

Oh That Is So Gay! said...

Droppin' by from SITS to say howdy. Nice to see a site that's openly gay friendly!

Fun witty blog; love it!

Jen

Oh That Is So Gay! said...

Droppin' by from SITS to say howdy. Nice to see a site that's openly gay friendly!

Fun witty blog; love it!

Jen

Unknown said...

Stopping by from SITS! Great post!
I totally support Gay Marriage. I don't understand what sex has to do with marriage, I consider it more about love and commitment, and the government considers it a contract with legal obligations. Are those mutually exclusive to what we think of as a man/woman marriage? If the religious zealots would stay out of it, it might be fine. I'm Catholic, but a liberal politics kind of woman, think the Kennedy's.

Wendy Kae said...

Not gay MARRIAGE, but gay unions and equality for partnerships.

Loved this post! I'm LDS and not offended at all.

Tiffany Tweedie said...

Hey. I'm over from SITS and so happy they spotlighted you!

I'm just north of SF and hugely ashamed of my state. Prop 8 is an embarrassment! I firmly believe that gay people have the right to be just as miserable as the rest of us! Why shouldn't they have the right to be trapped in a sexless, loveless marriage? What makes them so special? People who shouldn't get married can just because they are of the opposite sex? Puh-leaz! Quite regulating people's personal lives. It wasn't all that long ago that people of different races couldn't legally marry either, and now we know that's utterly ridiculous.

Ok, so I'm obviously preaching to the choir. This one just hits a nerve.

Oh, and to those who say Marriage-NO but Civil Union-YES... that's just a new version of separate but equal. And we all know how well that worked.

I'm just sayin'...

Megan said...

Huh, Utah is the last place I would expect to see a gay pride parade / event happen.

Looks like you guys definitely had a fun time hanging out!

As for my feelings on gays, etc...I don't believe people are born gay, I believe it's a choice. I've known and have been friends with many gay people so...whatever floats their boat. I don't agree with the lifestyle but I'm not going to shun the person because of it.

Aleta said...

Well, you can see sites like this in the French Quarter of New Orleans any time you like... though there is a Gay Parade, but I forget when that is. Looks just like Mardi Gras though. Lol.

Do I support Gay Marriage - sure. I have relatives that are gay.

I type the word "Gay" and laugh ~ you see, that's my middle name and my Mom's middle name. It means "happy" - you know.... I actually blogged about it a long time ago. Anyway, Mom goes by her middle name, because back in the day, it didn't mean homosexual and that's the name her parents' called her by. Now... though, when Mom introduces herself she says, "Hi, I'm Gay. That's my name, but I'm not."

Mimi said...

I'm a Christian woman who believes that you should be able to love anyone that you love. There's too much hate in this world as it is, folks deserve love in any form!

Michelle said...

I was so excited to see that you went to the Pride Festival! I was sad that I couldn't make it this year. I've been in years past in support of my lesbian sister and it's always a blast!

And to answer your question, yes I am totally in support of gay marriage. I even blogged about the results of the Prop 8 vote back in November (http://wamakaskan.blogspot.com/2008/11/uh-oh-mcfs-stirring-pot-again.html). I feel very strongly that gays and lesbians deserve the same rights as the rest of us. I don't think it should be an argument of religion but of humanity and what is right. Anyway, thanks for your post! Awesome!!

Michelle said...

I was so excited to see that you went to the Pride Festival! I was sad that I couldn't make it this year. I've been in years past in support of my lesbian sister and it's always a blast!

And to answer your question, yes I am totally in support of gay marriage. I even blogged about the results of the Prop 8 vote back in November (http://wamakaskan.blogspot.com/2008/11/uh-oh-mcfs-stirring-pot-again.html). I feel very strongly that gays and lesbians deserve the same rights as the rest of us. I don't think it should be an argument of religion but of humanity and what is right. Anyway, thanks for your post! Awesome!!

Controlling My Chaos said...

I absolutely support gay marriage. I believe we should all live and let live, and mind our own business when it comes to other people's lifestyles.

The Nice One said...

That looks like FUN!
Hey, I try and stay out of bedroom politics. I really don't care if you're gay, straight, polka dot, or striped, if you want to get married, have kids, and join in on this misery, go for it.