SAN FRANCISCO – Pride Weekend kicked off Saturday morning in San Francisco with the Pride Festival as the streets around City Hall were transformed into the rainbow celebration that has become a beacon of hope for the LGBT community.
The Pride Festival is a place where people can really let loose, because they often spend a large part of their lives pretending to be someone else to please others.
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“When you’re introduced to a world that makes it very clear that you’re not welcome, it’s very difficult as a young person,” says Jaylene Tyme, a drag performer who feels like a minority as a trans Native American. within a minority. She said she appreciates those who came before her and sees performing at the festival as a way to pass it on to the younger generation.
“When we come together and create courageous spaces in a good way where people feel like they can be themselves — sometimes for the first time — I know that all the challenges I’ve faced along my journey are worth it,” Tyme said.
Above all, the festival is about joy and the members of SF Cheer more than provided that. On Saturday, they invited other LGBT cheer and dance teams to help them warm up the crowd for Pride.
“We have a big family to share this experience with,” said Manny Gonzalez, a member of SF Cheer. “We’re just a huge group of cheerleaders who retired at one point and came back to cheer for a good cause!”
“The energy here is so good,” said festival-goer Amy McGrath, “And everyone is happy, everyone is having a good time and enjoying each other’s company. That’s what the world should be like!”
At the festival, people dance to their own beat, from drag chic to hip-hop to Latin music, and being non-conformist is not only allowed, it’s encouraged. You’d think that would bother someone like Elizabeth Daniels, an older visitor from Las Vegas. At least that’s what her gay grandson initially thought.
“When he asked me to go, he thought at first – I’m an old hand at the job, I’m 86 years old – that I would have a problem with it. And I said, ‘Well, of course!’ And so there’s been three of us,” she laughed.
And for those who were struggling, there were Danielle Dones and Tabitha Solano walking through the crowd offering “Free Mom Hugs” to anyone who needed it.
“It could be families that don’t accept it. It could be people who have lost their mothers. Everyone — everyone — needs a mother hug!” Dones said. “It’s a community, it’s camaraderie. Everyone is here, everyone is sharing, everyone is having fun. It’s so nice to see everyone living their lives the way they want to.”
With so much political strife in the country, many in the LGBT community feel that acceptance has taken a step back. But for them, Pride is an annual shot of joy and hope that the march forward will continue.
Johannes Ramos
