Happy Pride Month!

My memories of that time are a little hazy, but I was definitely at the Stonewall 25 celebration in New York City in June 1994, so it is likely that I am somewhere in this photo! Happy Pride, everyone!

Overall, my memories of this trip are great! I was, though, provided with several… oh, how shall I put this? — “learning and growth opportunities” that I was not expecting. Considering I was a fresh-faced 21 year old newly out in the world, I did still have a lot to figure out.

Here are some of the things I remember!

• Asking my parents for money so I could take this trip, as their college graduation gift to me.
• Leaving a friend behind: My friend Clint was supposed to come with us, but he went radio silent after graduation and we had to go without him. Sadly, Clint passed away earlier this year.
• Taking the chocolate factory tour in Hershey, Pennsylvania, eating far too many Twizzlers and feeling quite sick.
• Visiting Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater house in Pennsylvania, one of the highlights of my life.
• Dealing with a car breakdown in Pennsylvania (a lot happened in PA, apparently).
• Worrying that the rental car people wouldn’t rent us a car so we could continue on to NYC, since we were under 25.
• Taking a ferry boat to Ellis Island and Liberty Island.
• Seeing the Statue of Liberty up close in person.
• Listening to a street concert by Laura Branigan (of “Gloria” fame).
• Being so hot during the parade I was afraid I was going to pass out.
• Being incensed at how much a soft drink cost in NYC.
• Having to borrow additional money from my mom and dad in order to fly home afterwards, and negotiating a payback plan.
• Being so, SO happy to be with all these amazing people celebrating love.