Gay Pride Miami Beach -2016

[SIZE=16pt]Gay Pride Miami Beach[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16pt]April 10, 2016[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14pt]by Shale[/SIZE]

It was a perfect day for a parade. The weather was sunny and cool so I put on my Bi-Pride T-Shirt and biked down to SoBe about 11 AM. The parade starts at noon but I enjoy wandering around and mingling with so many like-minded ppl celebrating our minority of diversity.



As usual there was a mobile HIV testing vehicle, so I went in and got tested. As predictable, I am still HIV negative. I practice very low-risk sex but just on the outside chance, periodically get tested.



I came across these two female Miami Beach Police officers standing together and tho hesitant, I did approach them and ask if they were partners. Partners on the department, not a couple.



But, they had a good humor about it and even posed for an event foto.
I met another couple of younger female officers and commented about the pairing female partners. I could not get a pic of them because they actually were a couple and it would have caused a problem. However, I do appreciate the progress we are making in society.

I did get a few pix of the parade and floats with performers starting with the Pride Colors being carried by a shirtless guy in swimwear on roller blades. What could be more appropriate to start a gay parade.



He was followed by the usual array of marchers from Police and Fire Departments and vehicles.

 

Then came the floats of commercial sponsors and gay-friendly companies as well as all the civic organizations in town. This is what it is about, showing inclusion of our once closeted and denigrated minority.

There was a float of "Legacy Couples" those who have been partners for decades, even before they could legally marry nationwide.



This has always been an issue for they hypocrites who denounced same-gender marriage to see those partners who stayed together longer than the average heterosexual couples.

Finally, what I like to see at a Gay Parade are the cars & floats of young buff men, dancing in briefs.





Yes, I still enjoy the eye-candy of skimpily clad bare-chested young men dancing in the parade.

I also like getting a cooperative young man to pose with an old grampa - sort of a tourist pic: "Having a Great Time - Wish U Were Here."



The parade also had Parents Family & Friends of Lesbians and Gays, and this one mother making a statement of acceptance, which unfortunately not the attitude of so many families.

 

The ppl in the crowds were friendly and interesting to watch and occasionally talk to. I have been taking pix of ppl on the streets & sidewalks since the days of 35 mm film. These are just images of ppl in normal daily life settings, but much better at such gatherings as this when they are comfortable being themselves.

I asked these guys if they were related, they looked so much alike but it is just a couple who have been together for 4 years.



A couple of young women who were obviously together.



Rene & Chris a Legacy Couple of 29 years.



And a young man with a bit much to drink in this party atmosphere.



These two women tie-dye were not a couple, just friends, but the Heart Bi actually is bisexual.

 

Sometimes I enjoy the candid moments of seeing ppl comfortable expressing their love and togetherness by walking down the sidewalks holding hands.

Nothing unusual for hetero couples to do anytime anywhere but often it is frowned upon when two men are seen being close and affectionate.

But not on our Day of Pride.

 

OK, in fairness, I also took a pic of a sexual minority at our Pride event. Well, what got my attention was the guy's fashion statement.



My last pix were of these big burly guys who were having a great time. Sort of like the characters in a Tom of Finland drawing.



Actually the guy with tats was very personally involved with Tom of Finland




I left after the parade ended at about 2 PM and biked back home.

It was a really fun day.

 

Thanks so much! I'm a native of the Miami Metro Area so I appreciate this thread!