Rainbow Families Week

"Rainbow Families Week"

A couple of weeks ago Saugatuck and Douglas hosted the "Rainbow Families Week."  This is a week long event for children with gay parents (gay or lesbian).  The week is filled with family activities hosted at various venues.  During the week the downtown Douglas shops flew the "Rainbow Flag."  I felt so proud and welcomed by the city I call home.  On the last day of the event a parade was held in downtown Douglas.

The use of rainbow flags has a long tradition; they are displayed in many cultures around the world as a sign of diversity and inclusiveness, of hope and of yearning.  Today it is most commonly referred to as the "gay flag."  In 1978 San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker popularized the rainbow as a symbol of the diversity withing the gay and lesbian community.  Aside from its symbolism of a mixed gay and lesbian community the colors were designed to symbolize: red (life), orange (healing), yellow (sunlight), green (nature), blue (harmony), and purple/violet (spirit).  The gay and lesbian community is as diverse as the "straight" community.  Many religions, political beliefs, races, heights, weights, morals, and so on. 

When I was younger it would be shocking to see a "gay flag" flying.  The only places one would see it flying proudly would be outside a gay bar or a small area of a community which catered to a gay clientele, like Castro in San Francisco.  Gay's were not accepted so those who flew it did so at risk.  Risk of some type of hate crime.  So, seeing them flying proudly in my town of Douglas was really a heart warming feeling.  "We" have come a long way...both straight people and gay people.  Today I can feel that I AM accepted.  Even the fire trucks rode down the parade route along with the police - all with children and gay parents and signs made by the children proud of their family.

Earlier this week I went to the Kal-Haven Trail.  It is a 33 mile trail from South Haven to Kalamazoo.  I rode my new bike 11 miles on the trail.  It's quite a nice trail.  Two weeks ago Drew, Tao and I walked about seven miles of it.  With that and going to the gym I now have lost 15 pounds.  Eating better hasn't hurt either.  I do feel much better.  I would like to lose 15 more pounds by early September.  Ten pounds will probably be more likely the reality.  I just let myself "go" over the last two years.  My friend Tom has lost about 25 pounds!  He is working at the SuperValue so he is getting wonderful exercise over there. 

Enjoy the pictures from the "Family Week Parade" below. - Jimmy