Gay pride

Do you ever dream of being lost in the crowds, just another stranger and at the exact same time, the centre of attention? I did that on this particular Saturday. In the morning we got ready and went down for our included breakfast (which was good by the way). Well, I think that actually makes it sound a little more simple than it was. It was nice and easy for me, I showered, got dressed, did my make-up and went to eat with all the Canadian girls we'd made friends with. I was nearly done with my meal before the other two made it down. A combination of an early morning and outfit issues had slowed them down.

After breakfast there were more outfit issues because apparently looking "gay" is an insult. Personally, on this occasion, I would have thought it was perfect. While J and JJ dealt with wardrobe casualty and other such issues, I made friends with a cute Spanish guy with a very English name. He was nice, and I recommended that he go to pride, but he had some friends to see that took priority. Eventually we made our way and picked up Sara, James and another lovely girl for pride. Sara was whining about feeling sick. I told her to suck it up a little. She wasn't too impressed. She felt better later though, just needed to loosen up a little.

We made our way over to baker street and were about an hour early. We took a look at the floats and groups, just taking in the atmosphere. I was wearing a mostly see through red bra and red shorts that might as well have been underwear. We covered each other in washable felt tip. I had rainbow hearts coming up my side, rainbow kisses on my chest, rainbow war stripes on my face and "Love is Universal" in swirly writing on my back. I did also have rainbow radiating off my lizard. It was good. While waiting for J who was queuing for the toilet in Costa I made some more friends at Stonewall and some passers-by. Because, well, because I can.

Just as we were about to get moving, JJ informed that she'd left her wash bag at the hostel and was going back for it. She ended up spending all day on the tubes trying to get hold of the hostel. Her wash bag didn't turn up and she didn't catch up with us until after the parade which really sucked.

Sara carried my bag for me as an excuse for her not to dance, which also made it considerably easier for me to dance exactly how I want to. We eventually found some music that I deemed suitable and I ground to the beat. I threw my hips about, rolled my shoulders and was essentially demanding everyone's attention. Which I got. I danced for about 4 hours to the point that at the end of the parade I had literally danced the soles out of shoes. We went and sat by Embankment Station. We waited for JJ, James and the other girl (I'm too lazy to think up a name for her, sorry) went to McDonalds to get us drinks. In the meantime, I went to Costa, had our bottles filled up and purchased everyone a lolly. The girl serving me gave me discount. Bra just paid for itself. Well, started earning it's keep at any rate. I did have to swap over to my other bra because the red one was somewhat... Well I had bruising for several days in several places and I *never* bruise. My body pretty much rejects the idea of pain.

I loved all the attention. I loved the cameras, the stares, the cheers, the guys who demanded hugs. I'll be friendly with anyone unless they give me reason not to. It's a little sketchy what qualifies as a reason though. We went to a concert in the middle of Trafalgar square and managed to piss off J and JJ quite badly. Sorry guys...

Had a wicked time dancing to *really* awful music though. Awful like Same Difference being one of the better acts. Yes, that bad. While we were down there, they had to stop the music several times because people climbed onto the 400 year old fountains. I'm not gonna lie, it did look good, but I'm not sure London Council would be too pleased when 60 odd queer and questioning people broke history.

When we walked towards the main area a guy with electric blue contact lenses stopped me and asked, "are you a lesbian?" If I was a dog I would have bristled and bared my teeth. Then I realised that on this occasion it was not only a fair question, but a necessary one. He was taller than me, tanned and toned. I said, "bisexual."

"You're pretty fit." I smiled and walked past him. He was good looking, but I wasn't interested in pulling. It wasn't what I was there for. A little later I found myself chatting to a girl in a sailors outfit. She was so drunk that I had to hold her up on several occasions to stop her falling into the fountain. She left to chat to some friends. Sara and I had a water fight. We turn around and see two security guards trying to chase after the drunk sailor girl through the water. They are wearing a great deal of heavy gear and she's wearing one very thin dress. She runs out the water and comes and stands near us. Her dress is now doing as much for coverage as cling film would. I look at Sara, nod in the drunk girls direction and said, "nice thong."

After a while, we went and got Subway (J and JJ were off on their own London adventures) and I was first in line. I ordered my foot long sub (I had done *a lot* of dancing) and Sara ordered next. I had my ingredients put in and went to pay. The guy stared at my boobs and £4.99 flared on the till. He stared harder. He pushed a button on the till and suddenly £2.99 flashed on the till. Boobs = discount. That's not all. The guy who'd taken my order at first had been so busy staring at me walk away that he's forgotten to take Sara's order. She had to start over. There are advantages to being a little out of proportion.

When we started to head back to the station and actually the entire way home, I tried persuading Sara that we should stay in London, that we should turn around and go back. She was tempted. I was serious. After two gay days in London, the last thing I wanted was to go back to the racist, sexist, homophobic shit hole that I currently reside in.

When we got off the train, Sara gave me, J and JJ a lift back. We dropped the other two off first and I picked up some bits I'd left behind on a previous occasion. We dropped in to see one of Sara's class mates to drop some things off and ending up standing and talking for ages. I managed to convince her mum that I was a sexual predator ready to be dictator of the world.

...So, the truth. It was an amazing couple of days and the crash of coming back to small town reality was definitely there. Can't wait until next year.

*A note with hindsight* About 5 weeks later I was sitting on the tills at work and a girl comes up to me and says, "you were at London pride, weren't you?" I smile, honestly, I'm a little taken a back. "Yeah, I was..." "Yeah I saw you, you looked like you were having  a good time. You going to Brighton this weekend?" "No, I can't get the time off work, would have loved to though." "That's a shame, I would have liked to have seen you dancing again." I gave her her change and she left with her friends. She looked straight as anything, so not really my type. Small world though.