1. Where were the Republicans?
Once again, as in years past, DFL politicians were out in force at the
Pride Parade. There was Governor Mark Dayton, Lt. Governor Tiny Smith,
Senator Amy Klobachar, Mayor Betsy Hodges, Congressman Keith Ellison, the
Minneapolis City Council, a contingent for Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman,
Angie Craig running for Congress against Jason Lewis, and at least a dozen
other DFL office holders and candidates.
But there was not a Republican in sight, unless you count the one person
holding the "Homo Sex is sin" / "Jesus is Lord" sign. Congressmen Eric
Paulson and Tom Emmer were nowhere to be found, nor a single Republican
State Senator, State Rep, or candidate.
Especially missing in action was the Trump Campaign. While The Donald says
he will be the biggest and best friend the gay community has ever had,
(while promised to appoint a Justice to the Supreme Court who is hostile to
same-sex marriage), there was not a Trump contingent in the parade nor a
Trump booth in Loring Park.
So much for the Republican Big Tent theory.
2. Pride has far outgrown Loring Park.
I enjoy the Pride Festival in Loring Park, but it has become the 350 lb.
person trying to squeeze in size 8 slacks. Pride has simply way outgrown
Loring Park. It was a friggin' zoooo. Way too many people, way too little
space.
I am not sure where Pride could move to, Powderhorn Park perhaps, but
either there needs to be less booths or more space. I have little doubt if
the Uptown Art Fair were this congested the Fire Marshall would impose
restrictions.
After 15 minutes we fled for cooler, less congested environs.
I will leave commenting on the over-commercialization by Target, Macys and
Delta and the poor quality of the over-priced food to others.