Pride Day 2008:  Wet and wild with Front Runners NY!

By Daniel J. O’Neil

Here's the report from the 2008 Pride March.

We started Pride Day right, as Larry Boes treated us to a scrumptious brunch at his charming midtown apartment. Frittatas and fun were had by all. We proceeded to David Smith's ghost bike near Sixth Ave. and 35th St.  David, 65, was killed in December 2007 when someone in an illegally parked car opened the door and knocked him into traffic.  We quietly wove flowers into the bike and did a bike lift to honor the fallen. David's partner was there to share his memories.

(Laura Conaway of NPR did a very moving audio piece on David’s ghost bike, at http://www.npr.org/blogs/bryantpark/2008/07/for_the_love_of_a_ghost_bike.html)

Front Runners New York graciously welcomed us into their contingent (NB: very attractive men in FRNY; must take up running). Once the march kicked off, we had a wild time riding our bikes around their contingent and the Nair for Men float (with appropriately hairless gyrating muscle boys) to the roars of the crowd. We cut particularly stunning figures with our rainbow flags proudly waving from our helmets, courtesy of Larry's artistry. The bike-sexual Fast and Fab crew who participated were Larry, Lori Goodman and girlfriend Lauren, Daniel O'Neil, Daniel Hsu, Bill Clarke and Michael Burros (who, in an impressive show of strength, carried his bike for much of the march). Later in the march, Martin, Anthony and Dominic joined us.

Lori managed to get F&F announced from the reviewing stand near the Flatiron Building. A particular highlight was when we all got drenched in the downpour--and kept riding. Incredibly, we had almost dried off when we reached the end of the parade, just to get drenched again when the next downpour started. Nothing was going to stop us from showing our two-wheeled gay pride! 

Having marched in Pride since I was a teenager, I have to say this was hands-down this most fun one I've ever had. There's nothing like being on a bicycle in New York!  Many thanks to Larry for hosting us, to Lori for getting us some name recognition, and to everyone who participated for adding your fabulous presence--and for braving the downpours!

'Til next year, ~Daniel

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