San Francisco pride was amazing and I had such a wild, crazy weekend! It all started off by getting sworn it as deputy marriage commissioner at city hall so I could perform weddings on Saturday. Then I did the trans march, at Dolores Park (where Scott Silverman and I used to live) which was in its fifth year and bigger than ever! That night, I got in a big car with hot mama Theresa Sparks and all her daughters, including the gorgeous Violet Blue, Xtina, little baby Claire and a great bevy of beauties like Donna Sachet, Cecilia Chung and Carol Queen and we went to Asia SF, which is an amazing restaurant where they have a runway drag show. We ate fabulous food and I worked the runway with the girls after doing some “blow job shots,” where you suck down a shot of grey goose from between the legs of a lovely dancer. I do not like doing shots! I actually refuse to do them in most circumstances. It is like getting hit in the head with a rock! They should just have a bunch of medium size boulders at the bar to bash you with! I am still not sure about why anyone does it – I just was trying to get my head between some legs – any legs! I guess doing the shot is the price you have to pay. We all then staggered over to Diva’s, which is a haven for transgender performers and their fans, with three floors of bumping goodness that went on into the night. We worked the runway, we worked the stage, we worked the floor, I made out with Xtina. It was great fun for everyone.
Saturday I went back to city hall to perform some wedding ceremonies. That was truly amazing. I have been working toward marriage equality since 2004, and most of the emotions surrounding it have been angry. Angry that we have to fight for this right to begin with, angry at Christian conservatives who view it as a ‘threat,’ angry that politicians were using the issue to manipulate the ignorant to vote out of their own pure and unjustified fear – just angry at the whole thing. But getting to preside over these actual ceremonies – these rites of rights that were so hard won and precious and still could be taken away at any second – it was a profound and beautiful thing. I forgot my anger and all I could feel was joy and deep gratitude. When we are discriminated against in this way, they tell us our love is wrong, and in doing so, they rob us of our humanity. By legally, REALLY, joining these couples in marriage, saying the vows, exchanging rings, pronouncing them spouses for life – I was able to give some of that humanity back, and of course, we all cried through the whole thing.
Late that night I went to a bear bar called the Deco Lounge. I couldn’t pass up a party called “Bearracuda.” I also went because I was starving and if you hang with bears you know you’re gonna eat. You know they are gonna have a bread bowl with spinach artichoke dip or at least a baked brie, bitch. I was kicking back with my little crew of cubs and then these bears came up and offered me coke. What are bears gonna do with coke?! Go and hibernate really fast? Or maybe it keeps you from hibernating! “Oh girl, that bear is coked out. He hasn’t hibernated all winter!”
Sunday was the parade, which went by fast! I got to ride in a car with Grand Marshall Theresa Sparks and her wild child Violet Blue who I have a big crush on, and my makeout and dance partner from Friday, Xtina in the front. I worked the mainstage, hung with my favorite mayor Gavin Newsom, kissed on practically every trannie boy I could find. The parade and festivities felt different this year. There was something in the air. The fact that we can get married now, in California, at least for this moment, makes the stakes higher than they have ever been. We are all high off it. Happy pride to all of us, each and every one.
Dear Margaret, just discovered your blog, but have been a long time fan of yours. I’m so excited that you blog! (And blog well at that.) I live in San Francisco, and I’m glad you had a great Pride. I have a baby and no longer partake in drunken festivities (well, fewer anyway), so I missed out on the fun. But thanks for sharing the great stories so I can feel like I was there.
My partner and I got to the parade just in time to see you drive by…you looked great, and I was so excited to see you!
We missed you on the main stage, though (why’d they have you perform while the parade was still going on?), a huge bummer.
It was an amazing Pride. I was a little teary at all the newlyweds (and I’ll be one after next weekend), and the kids and PFLAG…really a special day.
I almost peed when you came onstage at the True Colours tour stop in Vancouver tonight. Too bad you weren’t performing. Hope you had some fun.
Hi Margaret, it’s me Tita, one of the gals who “partied” with you last Friday at Asia SF. How could you forget about me in your blog??? Boo-hoo! Didn’t the bumping and grinding of our private parts mean anything to you??? That’s it! I ‘m going to stop taking my estrogens! Joking aside. I want to express my heart felt thanks for coming to Pride and coming to the Asian & Pacific Islander Stage(which I produce), you presence reminded many a sense of “security” that we haven’t felt for a while. To know that there is someone who represents our A&PI culture is quite amazing! As the “mother superior” of Asia SF, you are always welcome to strutt with us on stage! hugs, TITA
Margaret! We have pictures to share with you. Thanks for being part of our wedding. It was very, very special.
xoxo,
Judi
Margaret, I am one of the Bearracuda DJs that night. It was really a pleasure having you there and I hope you enjoyed the music! Please feel free to drop by our little party anytime!
Margaret –
also just discovered your blog, also a long time fan! Anyways. This year was my first “out” pride, and holy shit, did I party! Glad to hear you had a good time as well, and especially glad to hear such an affirming experience with gay marriage.
‘ if you hang with bears you know you’re gonna eat’ .. that is the truest thing ever, and I am a bear so I know. We love you over here in the UK, hope you can make a stop in London with your show!
shame i missed you.
you would like me.
So happy for you guys.. Wish we could have our own pride parade.. *sighs*
Hi Margaret
Saw your show last night at the Wellsfargo center in Santa Rosa, Ca.
As usual, you were funny as hell.
I was kinda pissed at myself for drinking so much champagne though.
At first I kept closing one eye so I didn’t see double, then said fuck it, two Margaret Cho’s is ok with me, Lol.
On the subject of gay marriage, I just want to say that my darling neighbors have lived together for over 15 years and they finally got to get married this past month.
The other neighbor next door threw a party for them and we got to see the wedding album.
It was awesome.
Kelly just wore jeans and a red shirt, but her partner wore the most beautiful red dress.
Nancy looked so pretty I wanted to marry her myself, but my husband might object! Ha!
They had the guests all dressed in different colors and they stood together to make a rainbow photo. Awesome!!
Remind every one to vote NO on prop 8 when the morons try to reverse the freedom.
Hugs, and keep up the great humor!!
Barbara
Oh hey! You were on the back of my friend Reece’s bike. She was tickled pink and now has MAD bragging rights. 😉
SO awesome. Also, I *totally* LOLed at the “hibernate faster”! 😛