This past weekend was San Francisco Pride! What place would a queer girl rather be than San Francisco (a.k.a HQ for the Gay Agenda)?
Answer: with her friends.
I’ve ended up in San Francisco for the past two summers, interning at a Tech company. And like last year, I’m rooming with three straight girls, all of whom could not be less interested in my lesbian longings for community and safety in the arms of other queer women. With those being the only people socially available to me out here, I didn’t have much chance for a gay-filled weekend.
So I decided to go alone.
Of course my decision to go alone came with some jitters and fear of looking like a loner in such a social place. But I persisted through those inhibitions for my personal growth (but mostly for blog content.)
Saturday
I made my way to Delores Park for the Dyke March. It was exactly what it sounded like, and what I’d hoped it’d be. The streets were blocked off and filled with queer woman of every kind. Admittedly, I stayed hidden in a Cafe across from Delores up until the actual march began. But once I finished my Agua Fresca, I joined the droves of lesbians marching around the Mission.
The sweetest part of the Dyke March was seeing so many older lesbians, specifically older lesbian couples (bonus points if they had a kid or a dog.) That was a gentle reminder that a cheesy domestic ending is possible for me, something mainstream media doesn’t often affirm.
Even though I was alone, I didn’t feel isolated. And I actually felt a little warmed being surrounded by so many smiling queer women. I don’t see that often enough. I’d definitely go to the Dyke March again next year.
Sunday
The main Pride Parade down Market Street was on Sunday. The parade was a little less engaging than being completely engulfed in a sea of lesbians, but it was fun nonetheless. My roommate decided to tag along with me to that event. I still have all the random flyers and temporary tattoo tabs that were handed out during the parade.
Honestly, the parade felt commercialized and abstract instead of being deeply for and about queer folk. I enjoy corporate floats as much as the next gal, but I enjoyed the Saturday events more.
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