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Editor's note: This excerpt first appeared in photographer and author Harold Davis' recent Focal Press book, Photographing Flowers: Exploring Macro Photography with Harold Davis.
The closer you...
"Hang out by St. Patrick's Cathedral," my friend Ken said. He has lived in the
Village for years so I figured he'd know. "The gays hate the Cardinal and vice
versa so there is always a confrontation."
It turned out that the New York's Finest had the same idea, for there were at
least a hundred police officers ringing the cathedral (with more standing by on
horseback), keeping anyone from getting near it or the sidewalk opposite.
The police did such a good job that I never really did figure out what was
supposed to have happened. Mostly I just observed the expected Dykes on Bikes, a
bunch of fairly generic parade floats and marching bands, and a large crowd in
genial spirits.
Hate rides the bus in from Jersey
Particularly upsetting was a coffin-shaped sign reading "Here lies a Queer who
marched last year" (you can see it in the photo at left).
Protesters constituted about 0.01% of the crowd, but got a fair amount of
police and press attention. All of them looked as though they'd taken a bus ride
in from New Jersey.
Department of Individual Expression: In Your Face
Department of Individual Expression: Cheerful and/or Thoughtful
The Real Action
My favorite part of the parade wasn't part of the parade; it was the staging
area for the floats (51st Street between 5th and 6th). People had nothing to do
but stand around and wait so they danced and laughed.
Best Advertising Gimmick
D.G. Neary Realty's slogan: "A Castle for Every Queen"
A Tourist's View of the March
The worst thing about New York is also the best thing: it reduces everyone and
everything to insignificance. While tens of thousands of people were marching,
watching, pondering, and celebrating, the tourist life at Rockefeller Center, 50
yards from the 5th Avenue parade, continued unchanged.
The Cathedral Retains Her Composure
Whatever may be happening outside, St. Patrick's is unchanged inside...
