Straight But Not Narrow

Since joining Cheer New York in July of 2005, I have been hearing, “Just wait for the Pride Parade. That’s what it’s all about.” As a straight woman on a primarily gay male squad, I could understand why the boys would be excited to perform in the largest event in the gay community. As for myself, I was thinking, “You’re throwing me in a basket-toss over asphalt?!”

However, as the parade drew nearer, we all caught Pride fever. CNY was given the special distinction of closing the parade, and as we stunted down the street, we could hear the screams of the crowd as they saw us flying through the air in our red, white, and blue. We felt like cheerleading superheroes! Ambassadors of spirit!

The energy of the crowd was palpable, and I realized that Pride is so much more than drag queens and men in leather thongs. Each year, on the last Sunday in June, thousands of people get together to celebrate their individuality. Whether you’re a Dyke on a Bike, a gay republican, or a 29 year-old cheerleader, we all have the inalienable right to be who we truly are. As we marched down the street, I realized that is why we were cheering. And that is what Cheer New York is about.