Hi! I have a question for you all.  I have been in many marches over time since the 70's, NYC, Minneapolis, several National marches, many small town ones in NY< MN< CA and PA. Now, we don't have a pride parade here, but to show solidarity for GBLT folks, the Unitarian Universalists march under the PFLAG banner in all the little cowtown events. Yesterday, I was able to join them for the Dairy Princess Parade. we had about 100 people marching, young, old, babies, animals.  two young boys on the side leaned over to me and said, "I never knew there were queer dogs!"

We had many cheering us on. but I got halfway through and thought something is missing. couldn't think what. but then I realized, there were no protestors. Not a one. and we have some serious fundamentalists here. I have never been marching with a queer group and not been told I'm going to Hell. Not that I want to hear it, or see them at all. I was just so used to them.  they always made me feel so radical, so fierce.

Have they given up?  How are things in your neck of the woods?

Well we haven't had anything since Christmas. We have an electric light parade every year and we always have church groups in it, as well as the last 4 or 5 years we've had the local GLBTQ in it (and other parades we have through out the year). When it comes to the parades the city does, we have no troubles. However when we have Gay Day there are tons of protesters. People follow the small parade we have shouting bible verses and how we're going to hell. When we have the big picnic later in the day they can't come to where we are (because of park regulations) but they are as close as they can legaly get.

Three years ago I felt they went over board. The picnic is a family friendly event and the protesters yelled at the children, got in everyone's faces, etc. I didn't go the year after that because son was in the hospital, but last year was a little better. They didn't get as close physically, but they were on every corner instead of just the main two. This years is coming up later this month and I look forward to seeing how it turns out.

I am glad yours went peacfully, it gives me great hope.

ETA: I'm in north west Texas.

Have they given up?

We can hope!

We had our Pride parade yesterday in Philly and we had protestors.  There weren't a ton but there was one man with a megaphone who was driving us CRAZY!  The men of the gay colorguard all went up and gathered around him for a picture.  It was great! :)

I hope they find something else to be askance at.

I started out my post to say how utterly wonderful Pflag is, how much I have loved them through the years.

Hope everyone has a great Pride season.