The Gay Parade of Brighton

August 5 2006 is the Gay parade day in Brighton, the gay capital of UK. I woke up late and headed downstairs to buy some groceries only to see the entire downtown mounted in Pink and white baloons and UK flags on a pink colored background... Then i remembered one of my UK colleagues had told me about the parade on saturday and also warned me not to get too close..

I was thinking it will be a yet another gathering of nude people demonstrating for gay rights.. However it was nothing of that sort. I was surprised to see that it was not a demonstration but a march to reflect their solidarity and unity.. It started with the Gay Police Association volunteers dressed up in their uniforms followed by the Gay fire fighters and the physically challenged gay community... the theme was common - Pride in Being Gays and being in Brighton and Hove..

this was followed by what can be termed as a mini carnival.. for a moment it also reminded me of those parades near Red Fort in Delhi during the days of Ramlila (Ramlila is a 10 days theatrical portrayal of Ramayana) .. there were bands. there were huge open body volvo and scania trucks with DJs playing peppy music and volunteers dressed up in Pink and white costumes dancing.. One of the clubs had their own number titled Brighton Pride and they were distributing leaflets telling people how to download that number.. there were people dressed up like kings and queens... people dressed up like Elton John and Robbie Williams.. there were volunteers collecting change for the various gay community activities....it all ended with the Gay community NGO working towards helping AIDS victims in Brighton and Hove..

I enjoyed the parade.. though I followed my colleagues suggestion and never went too close.. there were policemen walking around to make sure things dont go out of control.. though there was little chance of that happening.. after the parade was over, i saw a group of 20 odd people demonstrating against Israel's attacks on Lebanon on the Churchill Square... most of them were middle aged Brits and I wonder how many of them would actually know what is the the capital of Lebanon... I was for a moment wondering if these things actually make any difference or its just another way for people to kill time and have fun and probably get some publicity.. whatever it may be.. I dont mind such things as long as they dont obstruct the normal life of normal people.. I support equal rights for Gays and also support Israel's effort against a global terrorist organization..

anyway.. learning from the gay parade.. I am going to be real careful now wearing my pink shirts.. one thing is sure.. I am not wearing my pink shirt in Brighton..

cheers
Varun