June 16, 2012.
It's Father's Day.
It is also,
here in Denver,
Gay Pride Day.

There is a juxtaposition here
that's challenging for me to resolve.

Dad died in 2001.
Had he accompanied me today
as I took photos of a world
completely outside of his experience–
a mash-up of
    outlandish costuming,
    exposed flesh,
    politicians,
    slapped-together floats,
    antique autos,
    fire trucks
    and marching bands–
how would he have responded?

He wasn't innocent and sheltered–
    he'd served at war,
    was an emergency-room doc and the county coroner,
    traveled the world,
    savored art and literature,
    and knew his way around human oddity.

Like me,
he likely would have wondered
what brings this unlikely, diverse group together–
300,000 strong.

I think he would understand,
as I do,
the need to say,
"I'm here,
and I matter."

Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.