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Gay pride parade moves Downtown
The aesthetics of this year's PrideFest didn't change much. Men still dressed up like members of the Village People, and lots of punk rockers had nonconformist screeds painted on the sides of their shaved heads.
But the parade route was more ambitious than in the past.
Instead of marching through the comparatively gay-friendly East End, this year's parade tromped straight (no pun intended) along Fifth Avenue, Downtown, to PNC Park on the North Shore. This provided everyone from Three Rivers Arts Festival visitors to tourists and weekend shoppers a glimpse of Pittsburgh's alternative community.
"That was part of the whole idea, reaching out to new audiences," said Paul Smithdale, director of development for PrideFest, now in its 31st year. Smithdale, a Wilkinsburg resident, likened the annual parade to a family reunion of sorts -- a place where feelings of camaraderie can overcome the sense of isolation gay and lesbian Pittsburghers often feel in their communities.
"Sometimes, you end up feeling like the only black person in an all-white neighborhood. I come to the PrideFest, and I see people I haven't seen all year. It's a great experience," Smithdale said.
He acknowledged that many heterosexuals wonder why gays and lesbians feel the need to stage a parade to celebrate their sexuality, but it's fairly self-explanatory for participants.
Straight people also celebrate their sexuality, with events such as spring break in Florida, or by strutting their stuff every weekend at singles bars such as Chauncy's at Station Square. The only difference is gays often lack the support of friends, family and society to express themselves.
That, too, seems to be changing. A large contingent from the group Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexuals was on hand, some parents marching proudly beside their children. There were few hecklers during the parade, mainly a couple of confused-looking young hip-hoppers who gave the marchers a thumbs-down. A few parents could be seen yanking their kids away from the passing throng as though they were protecting them from something.
Maybe that something was the sight of people whom some parents would have a tough time explaining to a 9-year-old. The self-expression so crucial to group solidarity at PrideFest seems almost dated or counterproductive, given the homosexual community's recent focus on blending into society through adoptions, marriages and mortgages.
There's no reason gays can't assimilate and celebrate their freakier side, said Sarah Smith, of Squirrel Hill.
"Nobody should be ashamed of being here in drag or in leather," Smith said. "That's part of the community and part of who we are. People just have to get used to us representing ourselves as we are."
