Gay of a Certain Age - WeHo Pride 2025 Day 2: Part 1

So, here we are on day 2 of WeHo Pride.  Didn't I?  Okay, in case I didn't tell you why LA Pride (or Christopher Street West) is no longer in West Hollywood, it is because The City has opted to go with another event contractor.  Community feedback indicated that each year the festival and events were feeling more and more exclusive and more like a music festival than Gay Pride.  There was also mention of the feeling that corporate America was taking over the parade with more big-name brand floats than local and community representation.  I will say, it's been a few years since I paid the extra fee to step off of the main street and go into the park where the big festival was going on.  Part of it is because of the ticket price, but since I haven't been in there for a while, I don't know what current rates are.  Also, I have yet to make it to the new LA Pride Parade that goes down Hollywood Blvd, just a mile or so away from where I am, so I can't say whether or not there's a big difference between the two events.  

Anyway, I just enjoy WeHo Pride when I can and this past year was quite enjoyable.  Now, as a Gay of a Certain Age, getting up a little early is nothing new to me, but it is a nice habit to have when you wanna get out and get pics of the colorful people & floats while they're prepping and not moving!  The bane of my pride parade going in recent years has been the people on the sidelines ruining shots by suddenly stepping in frame or waving HUGE flags right in front of me and blocking the subject, (usually the hot ones).  By getting there early, I can walk around and snap to my heart's content.

So, for your viewing delight, here are a few pics of the folks prepping for the parade.

I love the Micky's fire engine, don't you?

I ran into Brian supervising the BEST IN DRAG SHOW float.

BEST IN DRAG SHOW guys

A few Mutants

One of the delightful Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

The lovely Glen Alen with The Secret Circus

A few leather dogs

A gay Star Wars group?

More Sisters!

The Abbey doesn't have a fire truck, but they gots nice flagbearers, don't ya think?

I started heading toward the middle of the parade route where I was to meet up with Muh DAB, Dudley and the gang.  Almost as fun as watching the prep is watching people arrive and stake their watching place!

Did he mean to match his surroundings so perfectly?
BONUS GAY POINTS!

I ran into muh DAB, Glen & Lissa as the parade was fixin' to start

Gorgeous!

Oh, look! The reverend Chris Montella stopped for a hello 

as we skidaddled in opposite directions.

No, YOU!

Dykes On Bikes are getting onto place!

Here's our yearly visit from Christians telling us how much God hates us

 and how we'll burn in Hell.

 I think this young lady was having none of it!

Here I am at the start.  You'll have join me on the next post for the parade fun!

Is the suspense killing you???  Do you want a sexy preview? Then don't wait, 

See the more "sensitive" pics after the JUMP