FANTASTIC! AWESOME! UBER FUN!

There is simply no better way to describe the Halifax Pride Parade. This year's pride parade was extra special for two reasons:

1) It was the 25th anniversary
2) It was my sister's first Pride event

When my baby sis first came out, geez, must be eight years now, she got a lot of support from the family. To be honest, most of us weren't surprised. In fact, when she phoned to tell me one late weekend night, my reaction was "You woke me up to tell me this? I have to work at 5 am. It couldn't have waited until morning?" In hindsight, I wish just-roused-from-sleep-Mandy had been a little more tactful. Coming out generally isn't easy for anyone, and I certainly didn't mean to brush her off. It just wasn't a big deal to me.

Not everyone accepted Steph being a lesbian easily -- at first -- but, for the most part, I think it went over pretty well. And, it certainly wasn't a game changer for any of us. Steph is Steph. She's always going to be the little sister that poured glue all over my carpet; used to be obsessed with Patrick Swayze movies; has one of the biggest, warmest smiles out there; and loves everything dolphin. Being a lesbian doesn't change that, and it certainly never made me love her less, or think less of her. And, I'm so glad she never faced any threats of being disowned or, worse yet, physical violence from her loved ones that, unfortunately, some in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community face (Big sisters are SO protective!). Plus, I am so proud of her. If I was a lesbian, I don't know that I would have had the courage to 'come out' as young as she did. Steph was in high school -- not even old enough to have a licence. She makes me proud (Can't ya tell, lol)!!

So, I was thrilled to take Steph to her very first Pride event, and she LOVED it! Actually, WE loved it!



We will definitely be going to next year's parade, if not trying to get in it ourselves, and plan to take part in even more of the week-plus Halifax Pride events.

If you didn't get a chance to check out the Pride parade, I've done a video recap (The actual parade was an action packed hour and a half!): 

And, I have to say, the Pride parade was, hands-down, the BEST parade EVER! It was so much fun. The people in the parade were dancing, singing, waving, smiling and just so happy! The crowds were just as enthused, and you couldn't watch it without a big grin on your face, because the warm atmosphere was so contagious.

Anyway, that was my first ever Pride parade experience, and if you've never checked it out, maybe I'll see you next year in Halifax!

**NOTE: I'm all for people having their own opinions, and expressing them, and not that I'm expecting any, but, just in case, I should let you know, I will delete any offensive or hateful comments**