Proud to play at Pride

 SUNDAY WAS A rainy and overcast day at Clat Adams Park in Quincy. But it was beautiful. It was Pride in the Park. And it was an honor and privilege to be there.

Pride is a celebration of life, NOT just a LGBTQ event. I'm struck every year by the love, respect and inclusiveness on display. People are happy to be there and do nothing but show love. 

I've played at all four Pride events at Clat Adams. This year Cori couldn't make it so I just did it myself, early, as people were filtering in and the rain tapered off to a mist. It was a blast. I got to play a few original songs and make noise and couldn't have had a better time. Many thanks to Chris and Austin for inviting me. I'll do it every year, if asked. Also a big shout out to my Rent partner in crime, Ian Carlstrom, for doing a great job with sound.

I was exhausted from playing an amazing gig with Allison Hutson in Hannibal the night before. Plus we just lost our beloved English Shepherd, Genie. So I went home after playing and did what I do best the rest of the day - nothing.

A got a flurry of messages from people at the event about a caravan of protestors that drove past, honking horns and showing their disdain. "It just made the park louder," one friend said.

Congrats, Caravan of Ignorance! Your attempts at intimidation and showing your side backfired. You just made everybody else prove that love wins, not hate and stupidity.

This next part is going to get me in trouble, but I'm beyond caring. Somebody told me my employer, Blessing Health, was "taking a beating" for being a major sponsor of Pride. Apparently the drag shows at Pride drew the wrath of the web warriors and uninformed.

If you are so upset about drag shows at Pride events, well, the cure is obvious. Don't go. In my opinion, people who froth at the mouth at rallies held by convicted felons telling lies is a far worse thing. And I'm not being specific.

My friend Tony Metz, a former pastor in Quincy, had a FB post today that pretty much summed it up. "I wonder how may folks went to church and 'worshiped Jesus' before they strapped flags to their truck and paraded past Pride in the Park seeking to intimidate and strike fear in our hearts. I bet a lot."

Wouldn't bet against you, Tony. BTW ... I was in church Sunday morning before going to Pride. 

I'm just a straight man in a screwed up world trying to figure it out. Pride is a great example of figuring it out. And I'm way better off for participating.

 

 

 

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