Mari Talks: "Pride: More Than Go-Go Boots and Spandex Hotpants"

So you guys. I went to Pride today. And I must say I have never been so emotionally involved in a parade before. You may think that's not saying much, but let it be known that I have been to some pretty emotionally intense Veterans Day parades.

I actually got the positively thrilling honor of MARCHING in the parade, thanks to my crafty priest who snuck us under the caution tape so we could join the Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches, which turned out to be a massive group with their own banner and mardi gras beads and everything. It was wonderful walking down Broadway being cheered on and high-fived by so many joyful people, who continuously yelled "I love you!" and encouraging things of that nature. I sort of felt like the Jonas Brothers.

But the best part--even surpassing feeling like a major celebrity--was actually also the worst part. Let's discuss this.

Toward the end of the route we approached a group of dickheads people holding signs reading all sorts of sickening messages of hate which do not merit repeating but we've all seen them and know what they say. And though it appalls me to admit it, these are people who share my faith--though they have a seriously messed-up idea of Jesus. Can you imagine anything more hurtful than being told that the God who made you, in fact, hates you? I cannot. Ergo, when I saw these signs, I felt like I was going to puke.

BUT. A rather beautiful thing happened that nearly redeemed my nausea. I saw a small group of smiling folks standing humbly but triumphantly in front of this pathetic protest. "God loves gays!" and "Gay is OK!" their colorful signs read. The Coalition halted before this dual demonstration, and we stayed there for a few moments, waving to the masses. Parade-goers decked in rainbow gear cheered us on, flashed us huge smiles, shouted "You guys are great!"

The haters just stared as we clapped and waved--our own holy protest.

My eyes met with a few of the onlookers', and I held up my two little peace signs, my tiny offer of sympathy for the pain the Church has caused and my hope for a future when welcoming churches everywhere will be a reality. One woman looked at me, her eyes wet with tears, and returned the peace signs. My arms raised higher and higher feeling stronger and stronger, and I could feel them physically resisting against all that absurdity and ignorance and puke-inducing lies.

And I lost it guys. Like I just started crying and couldn't stop. I was crying for all the hate going on in the background, but even more so because of how much love there was going on in the foreground. I mean seriously, I thought we were going to break out into Kumbaya.

I think I might have been filled with the Holy Spirit. Because suddenly I felt like I could move a mountain if I wanted to. And those haters looked like total dufuses holding up their completely lame signs as we, the Coalition and the parade-goers together, had this fest of cheering, peace-signing, crying, whistling, clapping, and loving.

I saw more Jesus today than I've seen...well, at any Veterans Day Parade.

I also saw more Speedos than I've seen at any Veterans Day Parade, that's for sure. And more feather boas. And booty shorts.

And definitely more love.

Phew. Hokay. That was so emotional even to write about.

Other weekend news to report: I saw "Away We Go" and it was downright pleasant; I recommend it with much highness. I saw the trailer for the new Michael Cera movie and I kind of wanted to say "Ugh, that looks stupid" but I can't because I tooootally want to see it of course. I'm on the fence about how much I want to see "Precious"--what do you think?

Other Summer Plans:
1. Read David Foster Wallace
2. Read Dave Eggers
(how's that for redeeming my intellect?!)
3. Make eggplant naan pizza
4. Learn how to bake really good muffins
5. Buy paint supplies; paint
6. See Josh Ritter on July 30
7. Chill out

New week starts tomorrow and I'm starting fresh. My plan is to listen to a lot of Keb' Mo', and I'm going to work on those muffins! In other words, I'm getting my summer on--finally!

PEACE, amigos.