PRIDE 2017: Relious Representation

I suppose I shouldn't find it surprising to find various denominations present at PRIDE.  But, I do.   There can be a lot of pretty judgmental and biased perspectives there. 

I was very surprised to see the St. Paul Reformation Lutheran Church present with a rather interesting card.  The card said, "Not all Christians as assholes".   I chuckled and wondered how they got that through the review process!

For more on this church, check out, www.StPaulRef.org. 

And, meet Jean!  I am not sure which one of these two people is Jean.   But, one of them is! 

My sincere thanks to you both.   I was raised Lutheran.   And, meeting you both got me to think there may be hope for the church, yet!

PRIDE 2017: The Pink Pistols

I didn't get these two gentlemen's names.   They were in a booth supporting and advertising the Pink Pistols!

The Pink Pistols is an organization of gay men who support the second amendment and believe that carrying a weapon helps keep them safe.   Their message is that, "Armed Gays Don't Get Bashed"

I fully support the second amendment.  And, over the years, I have helped many people, men, women, gay and straight, learn to shoot. 

It was nice meeting you gentlemen!

Well done!

PRIDE 2017: MN Normal

Meet Melissa!

Melissa was in a booth supporting Minnesota Normal.  MN Normal supports the legalization of marijuana.  I must admit, I found the cause worthy.   Have we learned nothing from prohibition?   Seriously, if people want something, criminalizing it just makes it more difficult, and expensive, to get.  It creates an entire criminal delivery system.   Hence, the rise of organized crime in the 30's and even more so, the rise of drug lords over the last 20 years.

If there was ever a more failed government program, I don't know what it is. 

It was nice meeting you, Melissa!

PRIDE 2017: Wanderers

I am not certain who these four lovely ladies are.   They stopped me as they walked by me and asked if I would be willing to take their photo.

Ahhh....yes.   Of course.

Thanks ladies!  You are all quite stunning and delightful!

PRIDE 2017 and a Connection to Renn Fest

Meet Deirdre!

She was at PRIDE and was in her Renaissance Festival costume.   She was having a wonderful time visiting with people passing by.   She is a musician and, as she says, plays everything!

Thanks Deirdre!

PRIDE 2017: Trying to Get Back

Meet Rachel!

She is a starving artist who grew up in Minnesota.  She's trying to get back to New York to college.  She works with screen printing charcoal and digital formats.

It was lovely meeting you, Rachel!

PRIDE 2017: Handmade Classical Guitars

Meet Jourry (if memory servers me correctly!)

He is part of the ownership and creation of Kamaguna handmade classical guitars out of the Philippines.  Take a look.

The mother of pearl inlay was stunning.  

He was kind enough to let me play it for a while.   It was incredibly light and responsive to my fingers.   I am not sure I did it justice.

These are fantastic guitars. 

Thank you, Sir!  They are magnificent guitars.   And they sound fantastic.

PRIDE 2017: SWOP

Meet Andi!

First, loved the hair, Andi.  Very cool!

Andi was at a booth representing SWOP:  Sex Workers Outreach Project from Minneapolis.  They seek to legalize sex work.  And, they provide help for sex workers caught in the judicial system.  The system can be ripe with abuse.  

Thanks for the lovely conversation Andi.  And, I believe I agree with you and SWOP.  

Be safe out there!

Pride 2017: Naked Minnesota

Meet Ron!

 Ron is part of Naked Minnestoa.  It is a gay and bisexual men's naturist (formerly called "nudist") group! 

I love the outfit. 

Thanks Ron.  It was a pleasure meeting you!

Pride 2017: The Mankind Project

Meet Ken!

Ken is part of the Mankind Project.   If you are curious, the MK project, "is men's community for the 21st Century. MKP is a nonprofit training and education organization with three decades of proven success hosting life-changing experiential personal development programs for men. MKP supports a global network of free peer-facilitated men's groups and supports men in leading lives of integrity, authenticity, and service."

Nice meeting you Ken!

Oh, Ken is also a blogger!   So, he was most interested in my blog!

Pride 2017: Veterans

Meet Mike!

Mike was at PRIDE representing the Green Party.  He's been an activist since he retired out of the military. 

Nice meeting you Mike!

Pride 2017: Kiss-a-Wiener

This was just funny.  Meet Jennifer and Bella!  Yup, Bella is the dog.

For a nominal fee, you could kiss a wiener.   I did contribute.  But, I passed on kissing any wieners.

Thanks Jennifer!

Pride 2017: Hope

Meet Clara and Andrew!

They were active in a booth handing out "Hope Kits".   The idea is for people to take one or more kits with them and, as they see homeless people, hand them out.  The kits contain socks, a toothbrush, a snack bar, water, fruit cup, and local shelter information.

It was a nice offering.  Something similar to crowd sourcing, I guess. 

Thanks Clara and Andrew!

PRIDE 2017: Companion Animals

Meet Jeremiah and Joslyn!

They love rabbits!  And, they promote rabbits as companion animals!   Check out their site at: WWW.MNCompanionRabbit.org

Thanks to both of you!   Cute rabbits, too!

PRIDE 2017: Strange Girls

Meet Lesi and Syd

They are part of an organization called the "Conspiracy of Strange Girls".  I hadn't heard of them before.  Lesi and Syd did a nice job explaining it to me.  It was, however, more than I could copy down on my phone!  So, I looked up their website.

This will do a much better job explaining what they do.  The organization:

creates and promotes creative work by, for, and about Strange Girls. Part creative collective, part arts organization, our Minneapolis-based women-trans-femme+ group is open to ciswomen, transwomen, femmes, non-binary, and genderqueer folks that identify with Strange Girls. Our Conspiracy currently consists of over 60 inaugural members with a variety of creative backgrounds, including visual arts, tattooing, music, performance art, skilled trades, crafts, and arts organizing.

Thanks Lesi and Syd!   I enjoyed our chat.

PRIDE 2017: Animal Care

Meet Susanne!

Meet Molly!

And, meet Jennifer!

These three are all employees of Mission Animal Hospital.  They provide a non-profit full care facility for all kinds of pets. 
For more on this organization, click here!

They offer a wonderful service for our pets.   And, I like their website, too!

Thank you, ladies!

PRIDE 2017: Alzheimer's Assistance

Meet Kristin and Cheryl!

They were volunteers with the Alzheimer's Association.  They have a fund raising walk on September 9th at Target Field in Minneapolis. 

This is a cause I can strongly support.

Thank you, Ladies!