Hot summer day. Imagine wasting money hiring a plane to fly an anti-abortion banner over the beach on such a beautiful day? Somebody did, and I suspect nobody paid much attention. It didn't matter whether they were pro or con. Hot summer day.
All in Chicago
Pride
Today was the annual Gay Pride Day Parade in Chicago. Attendance was down; it was an hour shorter by my estimate; the floats and groups never seemed to pause as they had in years past-- possibly reflecting security concerns; and the politicians flocked by even though they have nothing to be proud about. As the Gay community has become more mainstream, the parade has become more corporate and much of the outlandishness has receded with the hairlines of parade participants. Imagine seeing Boeing, Northrup Grumman, Aon, or KMPG at a Gay rights parade in 1969, but then, times have changed since Stonewall.
Lit
When I arrived, the light was spectacular, but there were no people. When the people arrived, the sky was a washed out grey, with no shadows anywhere. Some days you just can't win. I walked over the Blues Festival, stopping on the way for a single Dunkin' Donut (230 calories).
Orlando
For the last 23 years, I have lived on the edge of Chicago's Boystown. Tonight the LGBT community held a rally/vigil in recognition of what happened in Orlando, Florida this morning. There was a very heavy police and media presence. Somewhere around 1,000 people turned out to hear speeches from community and religious leaders.