Summer Festivals

 

Montreal is probably the City of Festivals - once the snow melts (cheeky grin) We do love to party !!!

It all starts off in June with Les FrancoFolies in early June - the Fringe Festival in Mid June - The Jazz Festival in late June early July - the Just for Laughs Festival through July - Divers/Cite Festival In late July ............... and winds up (as far as I am concerned) with Gay Pride in August.  

Our Gay Pride Parade was yesterday.  Now it doesn't touch (from what I am told ) Toronto's Gay Pride Parade - but it is ours and I am proud of it!!!  There were many years that I proudly went to the Parade - hell one year my girlfriend at the time and I decided to take a hotel in the Gay Village and stay down for the entire weekend!!!  

For many years the only "leather" that you saw in the parade were the "Leather boys" boy did they get my heart a pumping (and yes yes I know they are GAY!!)  Now the leather community straight, bi, gay and everything in between  join up and march proudly in the parade.  

I had toyed with the idea of going into town for the parade this year.  W and I had nothing else planned - weren't seeing each other this weekend - and it has been a couple of years since I attended and truthfully I have to admit I was missing it.  But between one thing and another I didn't go down yesterday......... despite the fact that I am now the proud owner of a leather dress (I don't much like the smell - or the feel for that matter - of leather) BUT sacrifices must be made in the name of "fashion" or in this case the 'community' (cheekier grin)

From what I hear - I missed a good parade / a good party.  I am sorry I missed it.  Next year for sure - come hell or high water - I am putting on my one and only leather dress and going to go and proudly strut my stuff........and celebrate the end of the Festival Season and the start of school...............

24/7

Last Saturday evening at the munch - one of the participants asked us to raise our glasses in acknowledgement and celebration of International BDSM day - which is this Sunday ......... July 24th.  (24/7 - get it??)

I am not one for "special" days - be it Valentine's Day or Mother's Day or Father's Day or any of the multitudes of other special days.  However I do celebrate Gay Pride - they fought long and hard (and are still fighting ) to be accepted.  And I throw my full support behind their movement.

I realize it is very difficult for some of us to stand up proudly and announce our affiliation with a community that is seen as a bunch of abusers and 'abusees'.  I realize that some of us - myself included - must sit by the sidelines because to proclaim our affiliation would mean - possibly - loss of jobs and family.


But there is always some way we can show our support for those brave enough to be "out there in their faces" proclaiming our existence.  Buy a book, buy a video, play with your partner - lift a glass - fly a flag on your blog.  If you are not ashamed of who or what you are....... do something !!!

I know this movement is in Spain...... the UK....... Australia ........ Canada...... The US....... anyone know of another country??? There must be more...... we have to spread the word..... it feels important to me........ for some stupid reason - it feels very important to me!

There's a party goin' on right here
A celebration to last throughout the years
So bring your good times, and your laughter too
We gonna celebrate your party with you

Come on now

Celebration
Let's all celebrate and have a good time
Celebration
We gonna celebrate and have a good time

It's time to come together
It's up to you, what's your pleasure

Everyone around the world
Come on!