Boston Pride 2012: A Mom’s Perspective
Kendra and I have always loved going to Pride. What’s not to love? Rainbow flags everywhere, block parties, and lots of gay people! Before we started dating, we went to Pride to check out the ladies. After we got together, we went because we enjoyed being part of the fun. We haven’t been very often since we got married. Not because we didn’t want to go… every year rowing youth nationals falls on the same weekend as Boston Pride, so while our friends were dancing the night away, we were in Ohio coaching our kids.
Needless to say, we were both VERY excited to go to Boston Pride today, our first time in almost 7 years. I envisioned a relaxed afternoon listening to the music at City Hall while Addie danced her heart out, followed by a stop at the “Family Zone,” so Addie could get rainbows painted on her cheeks.
Alas, we faced a harsh reality once we actually made it to Boston. Nothing about the Pride Festival at city hall plaza was “Family Friendly,” not even the “Family Zone,” which consisted of a small face-painting station and a parrot on loan from the Franklin Park Zoo that kids could look at, but not touch. So much for kid-friendly Pride activities.
Addie and Meg comparing sun glasses.
After making a quick stop to see the parrot, we skipped out of city hall plaza and walked to Quincy Market to have lunch with friends. It was there that Addie discovered jimmies – a New England favorite topping for ice-cream. While we were waiting for my ice-cream to be scooped, she pointed through the glass at a brilliant display of hot-pink jimmies. I asked her if she wanted some on her ice-cream, and she responded with a vigorous head nod. By the time we got back our table, she had managed to get some jimmies up her nose, and was covered in chocolate ice-cream and a huge smile.
After lunch, we decided to give city hall plaza another go. The crowds had slowed a bit, and we found some space for Addie to show off her moves. She had a great time, though I felt like a hovercraft, making sure she didn’t get trampled by anyone. We didn’t stay too long – by then, the vendors had started packing up, and the crowds had gotten a bit more suspect. After the drugged-out folks next to us let their dogs off their leashes, and encouraged them to fight, we took our cue to exit.
We went back to Quincy Market, this time stopping for an early dinner at Wagamama with old friends we hadn’t seen in ages, and friends we just met today.
It was sad to experience the Pride Festival through the lens of a new mom – I suddenly felt out of place in an environment that is supposed to be inclusive. For the first time – I felt like I didn’t belong. Pride is not for kids, and in my mind, that means Pride is not for me either. It’s too bad really – it’s so hard to find the time to meet other gay parents as it is – Pride could be an awesome venue for us to get together and let the kids play.
On the ride home from Boston, Kendra and I mourned our loss of Pride… unless there are drastic changes, we won’t be going back to the Pride Festival anytime soon.
That really is a shame. But I’m wondering if perhaps you outgrew Pride? Sounds like it can get pretty rowdy (fighting dogs??) and in out 20’s we love that stuff but later on in life… not so much.. ESPECIALLY as parents! At least you know and took adorable Addie so she could experience it. (she looks like she had a ball in the photos but your little girl has fun everywhere she goes!)
I bet there is a more family friendly event where you could meet other parents with families similar to yours. I am going to GOOGLE that because it IS a great idea. Of course, we live in a big city and you know TONS of people – start your own pride in our city!
BESOS
Robin
I think we may have outgrown it a little… though we were by no means the oldest folks there. I think what annoyed me most is that it is touted as “Family Friendly” when it clearly wasn’t.
OMG I am imagining a Pride at home – that would be interesting 😉 Though it would probably be a much better venue for families 😉 Boston Prode used to be on the common, which would have been way better cause we could have had a picnic, and Addie could have run around without us worrying she was going to trip on cement stairs, or get into traffic!
If I start it – you’re helping! 😉
I will be glad to help! And I agree – the Common is much more ‘kid friendly’… AND they should have had Pony Rides! The spot across from the boathouse would be great. We have so many good events in Lowell – time to add one more!
Hey Jen, its funny you mention that. I was thinking about going yesterday with my 3-year-old, but decided not to at the last minute. We now live in the South End and all week when we have been out for walks she manages to spot someone and ask ” Mommy is that a boy or a girl?” She asks very loudly in front of them!! Or she will ask “Why is the boy wearing nail polish?” I knew that yesterday would just have been way too many questions i could not answer.
Jen, just perhaps, ~ it’s called “modern maturity” . . . . . . . .
bDad
Jen – Glad you wrote about an issue that needs to be addressed. We completely avoided Pride in LA when our son was young, and Pride is supposed be about inclusiveness! Last year we worked with Family Equality to have a presence at the Austin Pride festival, but it was still awkward to have our son (now 18!) at an event where there was a FleshJack booth and a Grindr booth with guys in g-strings!
However, we also worked with Family Equality to have a separate family-oriented event on Sunday – a gathering at a public pool followed by a pizza party in the adjacent park. It was great! So at least for now I’d suggest LGBT parents plan a separate event related to Pride as a next-best solution.