Today was SF Pride Parade day, so for sure I went for it. You can't be in SF and not go for the Pride parade.It's the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transsexual celebration here, and although there are a few smaller ones around the world, I think this one is probably the main one.

I knew it was going to be crowded, but even getting on the train to go to the parade area was an adventure by itself, haven't seen the train so crowded before. And you could tell that everyone was going to the celebration, not least because of the rainbow flags and skimpy clothing some of the commuters had on(one guy had on a fishnet top, hot pants and high heel shoes).And also because of the infectious happy united atmosphere starting in the train even before we are at our destination.And lots and lots of gay couples, of course.

Got to Market Street (parade area) just in time to see the first congregation pass by. Luckily I got to stand up on wall leading to the subway(illegally, but then everyone was doing the same thing), so I could get a good view despite the crowd.I'd imagine all the other streets in the city must be completely deserted, except for some sad employees that have to stay in the department stores and places and quietly wait for the customers to come back into the shops.
It was a pretty long parade, slightly under 3 hours, with everything from motorbikes, cars, politicians, pole dancers, naked people, flamboyantly dressed people, companies, kids, senior citizens, pro-gay straight people, religious groups, schools, bands, to cheerleaders, and everything inbetween.
This guy has such an aura of Oscar Wilde/Aubrey Beardsley and the gang of gay art noveau artists of that time, which is totally cool with me.
Gay police officers. They've got the crowd charmed, you can tell by the loud cheering.
Quite a lot of companies had floats.
The spectators were pretty wild too, lots of naked or at least semi naked people walking around.I'm guessing lots of them are not LGB or T, but just trying to get attention though, especially the women.

Well Fargo in all it's gay splendour.
I guess some of the parade participants are still in Carnaval mood.
Men in dresses. Awesome.

The dude on the car was so totally enjoying himself. But then again if I were gay I'd be enjoying the day to it's fullest too,before having to go back to everyday life.


The bondage crew. There's another bondage celebration called the Folsom Street Festival, which I missed. Sounds a little dodgy though, but interesting. The bondage flag is that blue striped thing with the heart.




Straight people for gay rights. Btw, in some other congregations, it was funny to see some gay couples holding hands, and then next to them would be a straight couple, you could almost hear the guy saying to his wife: quick, hold my hand so I don't look gay.
Beach Blanket Babylon. It's one of the theater shows here.
Yes, male pole dancers, now you're talking.
Please fuck safely. Have a nice day.
Out of the closet is a clothes store, but I'm not sure what they do besides. LGBT support of some sort probably.
Whole Foods, one of the organic supermarket chains here. Honestly when I saw the cupcake out of the corner of my eye I thought it was something else unflattering(you can guess what it is), but now it looks kind of cute.
Facebook's congregation. Very loud cheers here too.
PETA with some horny suggestions. SPCA went along the same lines too.
My uni's LGBT club was in there too :D
Rocky Horror Picture Show, another one of the theater shows.


And what's a Pride parade without some cowboys? Ow!
It was pretty nice to see lots of religious groups, schools and family groups parading as well. Actually I was expecting some homophobic attacks sometime, but there were none, and there was generally a very supportive atmosphere instead.

A crowd favourite, for sure.
This is just some random mural that I passed by, but since it's at the edge of the dangerous Tenderloin area, now's a good time to take a picture, when it's safe and crowded.
One of the oddly dressed attendees. Too bad I don't have any pictures of the naked women with painted nipples, or the guys in leather bondage, or neon underwear. Or guys frenching each other :D
Didn't hang around much after the parade ended, it was way too crowded to look around the stalls. My direction was only decided by the way the crowd was jostling me. Just had a general feel of what was going on; street fare food, life concerts, gay porn for sale, car companies trying to promote their latest model, then edge my way out and try not to get trampled on the way.