Andrew and I help with this party every year, primarily because it benefits the LGBT Life Center, our local AIDS service organization. But it’s also great fun with our besties. This year, the theme centered around The Oscars, and I built a Step and Repeat so we could pretend we are famous movie stars. The participants became goofier as the night (and the drinks) wore on.
Exhibit A: the Second Annual Out in the Park celebration this past weekend at Town Point Park. There was a time not so long ago when the very thought of thousands of gay and lesbian people, friends, and families descending on Town Point Park was, well, a nice fantasy—or perhaps a cringing nightmare, depending on your take. But Hampton Roads Pride has made it happen two years in a row, and our larger community has begun to embrace us.
No wonder. How could anyone resist such a joyful celebration? From Virginia Lyric Opera’s stirring performances to Mermaids in the Basement’s toe tapping rock to Kristine W.’s club-in-the-park rave, the stellar entertainment served as a coda to what Out in the Park is really about: the people.
Gay, straight, white, Hispanic, African American, Asian, male, female, transgender, young and old came together in an inclusive, colorful, and thrilling symphony of life. Here’s a peek at this milestone day from behind the lens of my camera. Feel the love
