News :: GLBT
Raindrops and rainbows by Annette Montalvo
Bay Windows contributorTuesday Jun 15, 2010Boston’s 40th Pride Parade: rain or shine, we are here.
Shortly after noon last Saturday, lightly falling raindrops coincided with the start of Boston’s 40th annual Pride Parade. On this rainy day, the cheers of the participants -- both in the parade and on the sidelines -- created a rainbow of pride, acceptance, and celebration.
This year also marked the third year of participation of the Senior Pride Coalition, which encompasses the LGBT Aging Project, Stonewall Communities, Boston Prime Timers, Older Lesbian Energy (OLE), Massachusetts Association of Older Americans, and New England Association on HIV Over Fifty.
"Participation by the Senior Pride Coalition encourages the faces of older adults in what was historically a youth-focused parade," said Lisa Krinsky, LICSW, Director of the LGBT Aging Project. "You can hear the response from the crowd when [the seniors] pass through that this is their history, too. It’s affirming for seniors to get that recognition."
Two trolleys carrying approximately 50 seniors, who represented the history of LGBT pride and the different groups of the Coalition, winded their way through the neighborhoods of the South End and Back Bay, all the way to Government Center.
"We were so afraid that first parade," said Rose Tavano, reflecting back to her parade participation in 1970. "We didn’t know what the repercussions would be. People weren’t as accepting as they are today."
Holding signs proclaiming "The Old and the Beautiful," "Gray, Gay, and Fabulous," and "Old and Bold," members of the Senior Pride Coalition walked or rode the trolleys along the almost 3-mile parade route.
"Shake your maracas," someone yelled from the crowd to the senior ladies on the second trolley. Lois Johnson, 76, an LGBT Aging Project member, shook two miniature pink maracas over her head, drawing applause and hoots from the crowd.
"You guys rock. Thanks for coming out," shouted Jeri Babson from her seat on the trolley as she shook her rainbow feather boa at the crowd.
"It’s uplifting to see all the youth," said Donna Lawn. "No one’s hiding. We’re out here together."
"Yeah," said Babson. "You don’t have to feel separated from everyone. It’s an overwhelming burden off your shoulders."
For Melvin Simms, who only recently began living openly gay, this was his very first Pride parade. "I was hidden in the closet for all these years," Simms said. After his partner of 39 years passed on a few years ago, he decided to get involved with the LGBT Aging Project.
"Back then, just walking down the street you could get spit on for being gay," Stilo said. "And today people brought their kids and babies to the parade and put rainbow beads on them." "I feel so much more secure with my life," said Simms, standing proud in a suit jacket and walking shorts, accessorized with a rainbow scarf, camouflage leggings, and black boots with rainbow laces. Simms admitted to some last minute hesitation to participating in the parade. "[But] I’ve made the decision. I’m here," he said. "I love it."
Dick Bourbeau, 65, who walked in the first Pride parade, led the group as the section marshal. He dressed to show multiple support: a pink crown for gay Pride, a "Senior Aging" sign for LGBT senior Pride, and a No. 34 jersey for Celtic playoff Pride.
"There’s been big changes," Bourbeau said of the parade history. "The early parades were quite small. It took a while for the momentum to get going where people would say to themselves, ’This is something I should be doing.’"
The trolleys passed by rainbow flags and "smiles and harmony" signs hanging in the windows of local South End businesses before it turned the corner at Tremont and Berkeley and made its way into the Back Bay. Even though the raindrops had turned into a downpour at this point, causing many onlookers to use plastic shopping bags as rain hats, the crowds were just as thick and just as energetic.
"God bless ’em," said Jane Roman from her window seat on the trolley as it strolled down Boylston Street.
"All these kids out here, this is so amazing," said Gigi Stilo, who raised five children with her partner. "40 years ago you wouldn’t have seen the kids doing anything," she said, leaning out of the trolley as she waved excitedly to the crowd, as though each person were a personal friend.
"Back then, just walking down the street you could get spit on for being gay," Stilo said. "And today people brought their kids and babies to the parade and put rainbow beads on them."
For Jan Taylor, a Stonewall Communities member, although she had watched the parade from the sidelines for the last ten years, this was her first parade that she participated in. "I feel we need to have a presence, particularly seniors," said Taylor.
She walked in front of the trolleys for most of the parade, but said the rain finally caused her to climb abroad one of the trolleys. "I chose to walk because I can," Taylor said. "There may be a time in the future when I won’t be able to [physically] walk it."
By 2 p.m., the trolleys had finished the journey to Government Center, where the crowds were still cheering.
Bourbeau had completed his 40th parade, and many others completed their first.
"Visibility is an important thing," Bourbeau said. "And this sign says it all," he said, pointing to the sign he carried throughout the parade: "Senior Pride Coalition, We Were There For the Riots, We Fought For the Rights, Now We Are the Living History of Pride."
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