From gay freedom to gay pride

Though most cities have their gay pride events in June (in conjunction with the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City on June 29, 1969) we Bellinghamsters hold our gay pride events a month later in order to take advantage of the more reliably warm and sunny weather that comes in July.

Gay Pride festivals these days have taken on a more carnivalesque atmosphere, but the event has its roots in protest (and should still be seen as such) and for many years was called Gay Freedom Day, a more apt title, in my opinion.

I didn't make it to today's parade, but the festival, held at the Depot Market, home of the weekly Bellingham Farmer's Market, was busy, loud, and colorful. The highlight, for me, was the array of flamboyant singers and dancers that seemed to captivate the crowd.

A long way from Christopher Street