I don't get sunburned -
the great gift of extra melanin
protects me from peeling
so I can proclaim every summer:

"Ha! -
Just for today
I bet you wish you were black
(okay, brown)
like me!"

but today I am sunburned
from standing
by the side of University Avenue for two hours
and watching
and marveling
and cheering --
really cheering --

as hundreds of people
walked
marched
danced
strutted
by

to celebrate themselves
and us -
the people who cheered for them
and accepted them
and loved them
and loved ourselves just a little more
than we had before.

So now
my throat hurts from hooting
and my nose is peeling
and my cheeks are glowing red

and I am so happy.

07/18/2011

Author's Note: I attended San Diego's Gay Pride Parade this weekend. It was my first time and although I'm not gay, I felt such an aura of love and joy and acceptance. If I can, I'll attend every year.

Posted on 07/19/2011
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