Pride 2011 (Night) - or bears don't dance.

And I'm back! Again, thanks to all of you who have been checking my blog out despite the lack of updates!

So, the night of pride (yeah, like a month ago or something like that) we went to this 'bear event' organised by bearmex - which is practically the only option for people who want to be in a bear-like environment.

It was in a very popular club called 'Living' which normally has a very different scene - snobbish. The place itself was actually pretty good; rather big and with really cool music. 

As the night went by, more and more bears showed up until it got quite packed (as you can see in the pic)!! I like these parties because I get to see people from out of town, including guys from other countries. The environment is also nicer because, normally, the bears who go to the bars are like striking a pose, but in these events, they seem to relax and let themselves be.

The Mr.Bearmex contest was really interesting, with some singing, some dancing, some stripping, some odd poetry-like shows and Adam Champ (woof!)...

But just before all that madness started, I was looking at the dance floor from the 2nd floor and I saw a bear getting on a platform-like thing and start dancing. Everybody went crazy for a bit, cheering him on; however, that's when I realised that, before, no one had been dancing or even moving to the music - everyone had been just standing there chatting with people (if they were in a group) or just looking around. 

Now, a couple of months ago I, reluctantly, went to a straight bar to celebrate one of my students' birthday and noticed something similar. I remember how nobody at the place was dancing except for us (the gays); they were all just standing there, looking pretty... Or something like that. That day, I complained about the place because I said I was used to going out to have fun and not just sit around doing nothing.

I guess it doesn't just happen there. Still, I do wonder why it was like that. I mean, I have seen bears at regular bars or clubs and they dance quite a bit! But, for some reason, when they are at the bear-oriented events, everyone is like trying to be cool and not move much... 

Still, it was a fun night. 

How do bears celebrate Pride where you live??

Pride 2011 (Daytime)

Lots of people, lots of music, lots of gay... And lots of bears! I always say, the best thing about Pride is that we have a lot of amazingly hot bears coming from other parts of Mexico and quite a few foreigners!

... I know, I know, that's not the point of Pride. Still, I think some people focus a bit too much on the idea that it's losing its political objectives; actually, I think that the main idea stays the same, even if (and I agree with this) the way it's presented is getting a bit too crude. 

In fact, I went to a family thing on Saturday after Pride and, when mentioning that I was leaving early since we were meeting some friends to go to a club, one of my cousins made a few comments that kind of threw me off balance.. Evidently, she thinks that the second I meet up with my friends we all call and refer to each other as "girl".  This came as a shock because I have never done that... And I don't mean that as passing judgment on those who do, I'm just saying that it's a common mistake when generalising what gay men do.

This is where I think Pride can make a difference, there are soooooo many kinds of people that it really shows the diversity of our community. 

Unfortunately, I had to work most of the day and I got there quite late... I only stayed for an hour or so before it started raining so I don't have many pictures or much to say about it. 

But at night... Well... I saw some pretty interesting things that night which I will talk about on my next post... 

Till then, what do you think about the Pride Parade? Is it losing its political objectives and positions? Has it become just a carnival for the gays to go out and party? And, does it matter?