2002 Pride: Sir Ian


I wish I had gotten a good shot of Sir Ian's car as it approached. I first spotted it when it was about two blocks away--who else would be waving that huge Union Jack so energetically? It's just too bad he didn't get the pink Cadillac he wanted! Can you see his parade number? It's "006"--Sean Bean in Goldeneye!

We were positioned (in the Grandstand) very near the end of the route. Yet I never saw Sir Ian sit down while he was in my sight. Did he keep this up for the entire route? Must have!

The parade did one of it's continual full-stops just as Sir Ian had passed my photo position (but still in front of part of the Grandstand). I debated running down to see if I could get close enough to show him that I was wearing my "McKellen.Com" wizard shirt, but I either wimped out or opted to continue taking photos (you choose!).

And off he goes, for the last block of the parade. I wonder what he did with the couple of hours between that and his appearance on the main stage? I desperately wanted to follow him, but I'm trying hard not to be a stalker, so I stayed to shoot more of the parade. About half of it, anway, until Cody's group came through. Then it was time to go to the Main Stage to see the introduction of all the various Grand Marshall's there. Wonder where I was standing to get photos this close? Check this photo on Sir Ian's website--that's me in the front with the camera!

OK, so I manage to get ALL THE WAY to the front, through that huge crowd (couldn't find Cody, though) and then everyone else speaks. Sharon Gless, EVERYONE. No Sir Ian. I'm starting to panic. Had he had to leave early? And then suddenly, there he was. Whew! And the applause and shouting just went on and ON!


I suppose you want to know what he talked about...like I could take notes! He told his story about sitting up with Armistead Maupin and Co. one night in SF, that helped make him realize it was time for him to come out. He talked about the journey in general, and his specifically. He didn't stick to "happy talk"--he talked some politics. Unfortunately, when I have a camera in my hand, my focus is on the visual part. Sorry for the lack of details!



And that was all she wrote. He was done speaking, lots of applause, lots of acknowledgement for and from Sir Ian. Then they began to set up for the next musical act. Except that I refused to stop taking photos as long as I could still see him. Which is how I got one of my favorites of the weekend, the one at right.