More Pride…Heck Yah.

Enjoying my last full day at Riverside Campground. Last week an owner of a number of campgrounds around Ontario came to visit at the invitation of the new owners and couldn’t believe this place. My family camped a lot when I was a kid I know what he’s talking about; the place is amazing. He can’t believe how much pride the residents show for the place…that word again…PRIDE!

It’s not just the gay aesthetic, although you can’t deny just how fabulous that can be, it’s not just pride in who and how we love, although you can’t deny just how fabulous that can be either. That’s a HUGE start, but goes SO MUCH FURTHER than that. It’s about finding a community that not only accepts us, but celebrates us. Most of us we grew up believing we would never fit in. Places like Riverside are testaments to having found tribe, Pride in ourselves breeds pride in our environment.

Of course it’s fabulous, how could it be any other way?

August 2, 2021 0

Shakin’ it at Studio 54 (kinda)

I’m at Riverside, an awesome gay campground outside Tweed Ontario, with my friends Patrick and Greg who have a trailer here all year. I’m having a great time reconnecting with good friends and making new connections.

Last night there was a Studio 54 themed dance. I was dreading it. I’d survived the actual 70’s as a closeted teen and I had no desire to revisit. Having the most conservative parents in a very conservative town meant that a good time was had by none.

I’d stolen…I mean borrowed…a flashy shirt from Justin and reluctantly shuffled my way to Studio 54 at the pavilion. I don’t think I was pulling off more than a Studio 51.5 but there was some serious spectacular spandex out there and some of those dudes were almost making Studio 69.

I danced.

This may not seem like a big deal to some of you, but it was to me. I let loose and for the first time since I was a child, I danced like no one was looking…it turned out a few of them were looking and I was never dancing alone. Maybe it was the Abba in the air, but I embraced my wee inner dancing queen and let her out.

Suddenly Sister Sledge was singing about their sisters and I realized just how far I’d come. I want to reach back to that scared awkward kid and tell him that it’s going to get so much better, that there is family that loves you, there are guys who will want to dance (and SO much more) with you, and yes, you will indeed shake your sexy bootie on the dancefloor.

August 1, 2021 0