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Hey girls,
I just wanted to fill you in on the Mardi Gras scene down here.
Last night was the Krewe de Vue. Held annually this time of the year, it's a parade consisting entirely of the GLBT (Gay/Lesbian/Bi/Trans) community. The parade rolled through the streets of the French Quarter and was quite entertaining. There were many costumed "ladies" and gents. Costumes ranged from extravagant glittery gowns to nothing more than cardboard boxes. Truly it was a sight to behold. If you ever have the opportunity, Mardi Gras is a must see.
I went with my brother and friends, and we arrived early enough to eat and walk through the Quarter a little. What struck me the most, was that tourist and locals alike were enjoying themselves. This may not sound unusual at all, but let me add this to the equation: Gay men walking hand in hand. Heterosexual couples walking next to them. Two or three transexuals (or crossdressers, I couldn't tell) walking behind them. It looked so natural and commonplace; all of this and no racial slurs, no bigotry, no flaming, or hatred of any kind did I see. I was impressed. I came home feeling immense joy. Simply because people were people and at least for a short time there was the absence of hate. I only wish the world could see through my rose colored glasses.
Hugs,
Kyra
For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return. - Leonardo DaVinci
That has been my vision and hope and thought it just a wild dream. It is great to hear this was a reality at least for a short period in space and time.
Kyra wrote:Hey girls, I just wanted to fill you in on the Mardi Gras scene down here. Last night was the Krewe de Vue. Held annually this time of the year, it's a parade consisting entirely of the GLBT (Gay/Lesbian/Bi/Trans) community. The parade rolled through the streets of the French Quarter and was quite entertaining. There were many costumed "ladies" and gents. Costumes ranged from extravagant glittery gowns to nothing more than cardboard boxes. Truly it was a sight to behold. ... Let me add this to the equation: Gay men walking hand in hand. Heterosexual couples walking next to them. Two or three transexuals (or crossdressers, I couldn't tell) walking behind them. ... No racial slurs, no bigotry, no flaming, or hatred of any kind did I see. I was impressed. I came home feeling immense joy.
Hey Kyra,
Great post! There are 50 or more parades, including Krewe de Vue, between early January and February 8, when Mardi Gras ends. Considering the elaborate costumes, a male in heels, a wig, and a dress is not going to raise many eyebrows. As you implied, Mardi Gras is basically a frame of mind in which people forget their problems and have fun, accepting anyone and everyone who is willing to adopt that same frame of mind. No one asks if you are more red than blue (or vice versa). Purple, green, and gold are the favored colors. As Kersten said, it is temporary, but it is a joyful glimpse of our potential.
Mardi Gras' are just the best fun aren't they. Every year our Mardi Gras in Sydney attracts between 3/4 hundred thousand people lining the parade route, there are just so many families who come out to watch and thousands upon thousands of people from all over the world fly in for it every year. It brings people from all walks of life together just to have fun and enjoy themselves and it also gives those in the GLBT communities the opportunity to get together publicly and be themselves with complete immunity from harrassment. The Police even have an entry in the Parade.
We are having a 4 week festival leading up to the Parade, with over 100 events in those weeks.
Although I won't be taking an active role this year, I'll certainly be watching the parade on TV on March 5th, but I have my ticket for the big all day party on the Sunday, it's an event not to be missed for us.
Watch nature, because it’s our greatest teacher, it moves and flows and moves on again. We can never be free until we disengage, so allow life to flow as you find it. The way it is, is the way it is.
Costumes ranged from extravagant glittery gowns to nothing more than cardboard boxes. 
Truly it was a sight to behold. If you ever have the opportunity, Mardi Gras is a must see.
