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The sunrise on June 1 belied the tornado watches and the squalls and rain of the day before. Saturday had started out sticky and with high clouds that developed into attempts to dampen the spirits of those beginning to gather in Asbury Park for the 17th annual Jersey Pride celebration. But Sunday-also, by the way, the day of Queens Pride in New York City--was a different day entirely.
The morning sun and a brisk wind off the ocean cooled the more than 100 vendors-food, organizations, pride gear and more-as they set up for the Perfect Day. This is also the name of Jersey Pride's official guide to the day, The Perfect Day magazine, which was provided to each person who came through the gate to join in the revelry.
The parade stepped off at noon, and in comparison to the Heritage of Pride NYC parade down Fifth Avenue on the last Sunday in June, this is just a wee bit of training. The modest Jersey Pride parade route runs about a mile and a half through the LGBT district in the town, past the Church Row, down Grand Avenue to Sunset Avenue, and into the milling throngs in Bradley and Atlantic Parks. More than 20,000 people joined in the fun between the hours of 12 noon and 7 pm in a peaceful day of enjoyment, drinks, music and sunburn.
The Rally stage was located in Bradley Park and was ably led by Fire Island favorites Brandon Cutrell and Ray Fellman. Their set opened with Alanis Morissette's "Hand in Pocket" and included, as Brandon's duet with Kenny Holcomb, Kelly Clarkson's "Because of You." One of the surprises of the day was Brandon's friend, Michelle Dowdy, from the Broadway cast of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman's "Hairspray," belting out "Good Morning, Baltimore," as if Tracy Turnblad were a role she'd been preparing for all her life....
The Rally stage included performances by folk singer/songwriter and educator Martin Swinger; the duo Sue Bailey and Robin Cohen know as Sweet Namaste; local favorites Virago-Amy Schindler and Maire Tashjian; up-and-coming Regina Sayles Project, NYC songstress Lori Michaels, band with a bullet Telling on Trixie; and Nekked-duo JC and Sinn-who opened for Disco Diva Martha Wash--and it was indeed raining men and womyn and amazing vibes in the late afternoon sun. Ms. Wash does not usually do encores but the Jersey Pride faithful lured her out of hiding with cries of "More Martha! More Martha! More Martha!" and out she came.
Tuesday, June 3 was Primary Day in NJ and every year the politicians come to Jersey Pride. Josh Lautenberg, son of senior New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg, was on hand to campaign for his dad. He was preaching to the choir, as many have long known Senator Lautenberg to be strong on LGBTI civil rights. A continuing delight was a visit and a strong speech on equality by Congressman Frank Pallone, another legislator who really understands what his constituents want in Washington. Governor Jon S. Corzine visited the Jersey Pride Rally stage, as he has every year since he was a candidate for Senate, in June 2000, and spoke of equality, change, and support for those who help us accomplish both. Long-time activists like Yours Truly hope that his words will mean full Marriage Equality in the months to come.
After Martha Wash had sung her final note, and Brandon and Ray were off to the airport, the Rally stage began to close. Hard-working Jersey Pride staff began to pull up stakes and snow fencing and collect garbage and recycling, knowing that Pride Month had been well and truly kicked off. Over the next weeks, there are Pride celebrations all over the New York Metro Area-Brooklyn Pride, Bronx Pride, Long Island Pride, Staten Island Pride, Cherry Grove, Fire Island Pride, and HOP's LGBT Pride in NYC. Go to all of them, if you can, and experience the differences, embrace the proud, and revel in what it means to live your life out loud.
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