HPD from YVR

Right about now, people in eastern North America are starting to wend their way toward Lesbian and Gay Pride Day parade routes. Champ and I last night watched the Toronto festivities — on the CITY-TV feed we’ve been curiously able to receive out here on Canada’s west coast — with a mixture of wistful displacement and complete happiness that we’ve made the right move at the right time for us.

Vancouver’s Pride celebrations won’t take place for over a month and while we’re both eager to check out this city’s joyful expression of community, I’m particularly interested in meeting “Role Model” Grand Marshall Cleve Jones and in being by Champ’s side when the tribute to “Honourary Pride Hero” Cindy “Big Cins” Kampmeinert takes place. I never had the opportunity to meet Cins — a huge influence and lifelong friend of Champ’s — before she was killed last December in a tragic accident while adventuring in India. More poor, me.

Best wishes to all who celebrate today. This special day began — 40 years ago! — by a gaggle of queens not taking shit and fighting back against those who feel we’re less than human. Make this good feeling of solidarity and power last longer than 24 hours, y’all.

Wiener & Me, Toronto Pride 1989