Gay Pride 2011

Last year was crazy, spending the Canal Parade on a boat in the pouring rain. This year I showed my support for a whole week, I think. Amsterdam felt festive, people were happy and looking forward to big parties at the weekend. Saturday I cycled very early to a preselected spot on the Amstel (Weesperzijde). There I met a random group of people who all felt like going on a school trip. They brought snacks and drinks, they liked each other and shared a vast amount of cava and prosecco (because beer makes you go to the toilet too often). Weather was great, except for one enormous pour-down that send squealing men in panic to the nearest bit of cover (umbrella’s, truck doors, shops, bars and random boats). Other people immediately took their place. We danced in the rain.

An otherwise sunny afternoon was followed by a long night with lots of dancing and singing and chatting to weird and happy people.

La Meerla strikes again

What a fantastic experience the Canal Parade was. We got soaked as it rained almost non-stop, but no one really cared becaus it was so much fun. I looked like a giant drag queen in that big pink wig and gold platform heels (that admittedly, I lost fairly early on), but was very noticeable on tv. Because yes we were mentioned on national telly! Lots of stuff went wrong, the DJ blew of the loudspeakers in on time, five Mensa flags on the boat but only logo’s and no name, my iPhone got soaked and died – none of it mattered. The endless stream of happy people watching the boats, all the sights, the flirting, the interaction, it was grand. And to see two friends, amongst the 400.000 people that were present – too see each other and connect and wave – that made the different between happiness and euforia.

Gay & Gifted: I’m on a boat

Tomorrow is the Canal Parade of the Amsterdam Gay Pride. And I’m on a boat. For the first time in history, Mensa has a small (organised) group of delegates floating around the capital’s canals. Mensa is the international organisation for people with a high IQ. (If you think that’s weird or exclusive, you should read about this). Now 2% of the population qualifies for membership and the usual percentage of that is gay or bisexual, making the gay & gifted a very small minority to date and worthy of support in my eyes. And it’s an excuse for a party.

I’m not gay, but I am a Mensa member and believe me, in the Netherlands being gay is more accepted than being gifted. The Dutch media have jumped on the item and we’ve had a lot of press coverage. That makes participating even more exciting. For some of the 45 people on the boat, it’s even a double coming-out.

The dress-code tomorrow is black and gold, same as our logo. My trusty kinky black boots are at death’s door, so I’ve painted them gold for a final send-off. My hairdresser lend me a pink afro wig, so clothes-wise I’m ready. And I always have my rainbow bunnies for back-up. I’ve watched the Parade a few times now from the side. Can’t wait to experience it from the water. To be continued…