July 27, 2024
People lined up to watch the 2022 Bangor Pride Parade

Bangor, ya done good. You turned out and showed out for our LGBTQIA friends and family. I hope they felt the love vibes we were laying down. Your cheers were so loud that they had to have heard you across the river in Brewer! The message was sent loud and clear to the LGBTQIA community: Bangor sees you and loves you.

The day was scorching hot!

The temperature reached 94 degrees in downtown Bangor, Maine yesterday. Some say it was hotter, but I can only vouch for 94 since that was the only temperature I was able to read throughout the day with my sweat-flooded eyes. I lost track of how many bottles of Gatorade I drank. It was so hot that the Thirst Quencher™ wasn’t quenching my thirst that day. Next time I’ll listen to the HydroHomies and just drink water.

Everyone who dressed up made the day more fun

Everyone who dressed up for Pride and came downtown… all of you looked so fabulous! I was excited to see the 4 beautiful souls who came by the Dignity First tent while handing out invites for the 90s Dance Party later that evening. There was a Drag Show scheduled for that evening as well I believe. As far as I’m concerned, the show came to me and it was splendiferous! I was so starstruck that I forgot to ask to have a picture taken with me. Definitely next year.

I’m super jealous that I don’t have a picture of me with this glamorous group.

The festival was fun and educational.

The festival had entertainment, and education. Support groups and services for the LGBTQIA community, drug safety, women’s health, foster programs, help for the unhoused, are some of the issues and causes represented. Monkeypox education was made available. No cases in Maine yet, according to the woman I spoke to, but best to be prepared when it comes.

My LGBTQIA friends: I see you and I love you!

Thank you, Bangor, for doing me the honor of letting me march in the Pride Parade again as an ally. Hats off to the Health Equity Alliance for organizing another fantastic Pride festival! And to my friends and family who are a part of the LGBTQIA community: I see you and love you so much, and I’m a better person for having you in my life.