Pride 2009

Alibi Gays in Space!

JCC

Our crew, pre-parade. En route, somebody in the crowd shouted 'space drunks' at us ... I'll go ahead and take that as a compliment.

For me, rising before 10 a.m. is a rare occurrence, and usually involves air travel or a very special occasion. Today was one of those very special occasions, and I dragged my ass out of bed at 7 a.m., covered it in silver sequins and boarded a gay trailer built to resemble the moon. Circumstance has hindered my participation in Pride year after year, so 2009 was not only my first parade and first gay Pride, it was my first turn helping to manage the gay project. It was a lot of work, but totally worth it in the end. Being straight, I initially felt like a dilettante, but as our space float moved down Central at 5 mph blasting "Spirit in the Sky" for the fifth time I got a little teary realizing how important it was for us as individuals, and as a business and newspaper to be part of the celebration. When you don't support the rights of others, you don't support your own rights. Plus it was incredible fun. Good for you, Albuquerque. Now, enough of that, let's have a cocktail.

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

God bless America.

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

Mawwage.

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

Self Serve's giant purple dildo was a hit with the crowd.

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

The New Mexico Menace IWFL team

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

Raging Grannies!

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

What do gay horses eat? ... Hayyyy!

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

Take us to your leader, Earth boys and girls.

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

The New Mexico Democratic Party

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

The Dems: Sort of nearly standing up for gay marriage. More of a defensive crouch, really.

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

Space victory for the Alibi!

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

Dykes on Bikes have perfected the slow ride.

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

The Myrmidons of Melodrama

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

Leather.

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

Proof that everyone loves a parade.

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

Parade love, continued.

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

Derby Girls work the throngs, thongs.

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

The face of Mayor Martin Chavez' constituency

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

Sometimes it was hard to tell where the parade began and the

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

I do! (Perfect shot: They're infront of Seventh Goddess.)

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

The future of Albuquerque

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

Putting the L in LGBT

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

Even the cops were having a good day!

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

She pretty much sums it up.

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

The sign in the background claims Jesus hates people. It's covered by another sign that says

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

Flying pigtails

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

It's just not a party until Don shows up.

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

Parked at the fairgrounds: These people really didn't want the parade to end.

Eric Williams ericwphoto.com

Pride.