Pride, Prejudice, and just plain Bitchy!

I returned home this weekend to take part in Belfast Pride. It was the usual routine, headed into town, met my friends for food, then took to the streets to watch the parade take place. Once it's passed we tend to walk the rest as it loops back on itself. The parade was full of colour, music and costumes, and it also had the usual christian protesters outside City Hall.

My last few visits home I've noticed a distinct prejudice among some of the gays, shock, horror I hear you say. Gays. Prejudice. Absolutely! After the parade we went to Party in the Square, were you get the opportunity to see the drag acts perform, have a few drinks, browse the stalls, say "Hi" to old acquaintances, cringe at the one night stand from years gone by and have a burger or two, maybe that was the problem!

I get a real buzz bumping into people I haven't seen in years and catching up. It's great to hear that people have moved on, settled down and are generally a lot happier than we all were when we were all in our twenties. I suppose we're all just growing up and there is a new bunch of gays in town. HOWEVER and there's always an however when it comes to us gays, there are a few who always try to kill that buzz with bitchy comments only used to make you feel like shit!

Transcript of one such meeting

Fellow Gay Hey, how are you?

Me Grand, not too bad, what about yourself? Any news?

Fellow Gay Not much, working away as usual. No Just for Men in Dublin then?

Me What?

Fellow Gay Are they not selling Just for Men in Dublin?

Me Eh, Don't need it. Don't look my age as it is, bit of grey hair might do me some good on the job front.

Fellow Gay Oh, I'd have to get that covered up, wouldn't be seen outside the front door with my head looking like a badger. Any holidays planned this year? Where ya heading after the Square?

I haven't been able to convey the tone and manner in which this was said but believe me, it wasn't coming from a good place. Putting the grey hairs to one side the next assault was about to come.

Fellow Gay Well Michael, how's you? Jesus, you've put on a few pounds, not going to the gym?

My response was pretty much

"no I'm not but thanks for taking such an interest and making me feel great about myself"

"Cheeky fucker" I thought.

There were also a few other swipes about my hair and weight which I was able to brush off or retaliate. It's just as well I'm not over sensitive and that I am very comfortable in my own skin. I just thought why on earth do they have to be so bitchy. I'd give them a by ball if I had of done something on them in the past, but I haven't. I also worry about the effects they have on other gays who maybe do have an issue about their weight, looks, hair etc. A few friends of mine have had similar experiences

Maybe I'm just getting to old and the new way to great people is to insult them!

Happy Pride all you fat, skinny, grey haired readers of this blog. You are just way too old!

I still don't know who's worse, the protesters or the gays!