Talula - Reporting from Halifax

[talula]

Well today was the parade folks and all went well.

Instead of marching, Air Canada had a float that no one was using and offered our group, consisting of 12 volunteers, Richard, and myself to turn it into a "Eunuch Unit" platform. This consisted of just jumping on board and holding up the signs as the float was already decorated.

Richard and I rode in the front of the float waving to the crowd with a very wonderful person, Kathy, holding up a sign between us. We both wore what we said we would, black with no shirt along with the addition of a black waist-cloth and a sash hanging on our right side. The volunteers wore pink and did a fantastic job holding up signs to the side, waving to the crowd, and walking along side the float handing out the flyers and buttons.

The event was very well attended and in downtown district saw thousands of people cheering the parade on from the street, 2nd, and 3rd story levels. Nothing, I mean nothing will make you swallow faster than looking ahead and seeing thousands of cheering people on either side of where you will be in five minutes.

Yesterday Richard gave a very unexpected interview for CBC radio regarding the "Eunuchs Unit" participation in the parade. The interview aired and as we rode along people shouted congratuations and asked who Richard was - wanting to see the man behind the microphone that was coming out publicly as being a eunuch due to cancer. We had our own personal reporter from the Herald who walked with us every step of the way, interviewed everyone, and joined us for lunch afterwards. Her article appears tomorrow.

There was such a diverse group of people in the parade with everything from semi-truck platforms to city buses to the Fire brigade. This was an event folks and I would like to thank Richard for standing up and allowing me to be there with him. The world as we know it will never be the same because for the first time in recorded history, Eunuchs have marched in the Western World!

tal

P.S. I would also like to thank the volunteers who helped make this all happen. Jenn, JoAanne, Yoli, Blair, Shelly, Kathy and all the others. Please forgive me that I cannot remember your names right now as I have met so many people today. I will ask Richard later and then post them

[SplitDik (imported)]

Wow, that was extremely brave of you guys! Congratulations. As a Canadian, I'm proud of the type of acceptance of diversity you received. Are there any pictures?

[JesusA (imported)]

There was parade coverage in this morning's Halifax Herald. The “Eunuch Unit” got very nice coverage in an article titled Third sex joins parade (http://www.herald.ns.ca/stories/2005/07 ... 0.raw.html).

Richard reports, “This newspaper article is bit more "in your face" than I might have liked, but genuinely supportive coverage nevertheless. The tail end of our float was on the cover, although we aren't identifiable in the picture.”

[Riverwind (imported)]

More ground has been covered with this parade. We all can only hope that we can get noticed in a positive way like this.

Sounds like they are having on hell of a time.

[Uncle Flo (imported)]

The parade seems to have gone even better than I had hoped for the "eunuch unit". I'm SO proud of the eunuchs and their supporters who participated That I can hardly express myself. --FLO--

[Marsha Mar (imported)]

WOW I have to add 10 characters to make it post.

[lilac (imported)]

Hey talula,

I just read your post here. I am so happy to hear everything went so well for everyone. I've got tears rolling down my cheeks right now... *tears of joy* And if I was there at the time, you would have seen the *tears* then also. I cant wait to ask my gay buddie if he seen *The Eunuchs Unit* in the parade. Oh btw... nice seeing and chatting with you in the chatroom lastnight.

Love ya's, Lilac

[sag111 (imported)]

Well so far i dont mind telling people i am a eunuch and so far i have gotten positive responces from everyone i tell.I would have been honered to ride in that parade to if it would help thoes who dont understand us to accept us but so far i have been accepted and i guess maybe i wouldent know if i wasent thats just how i am i guess.Maybe i just charge ahead and tell people and if i go fast enough i dont get neg feedback or here it i dont know then again thats just the way i am.Maybe its the second or third hug i give them that keeps them from being to shocked who knowes i just love them thay are just people like me.

[JeffEunuch (imported)]

Well so far i dont mind telling people i am a eunuch and so far i have gotten positive responces from everyone i tell..... Maybe its the second or third hug i give them that keeps them from being to shocked who knowes i just love them thay are just people like me.

Yeah, we're all just people - though w/o balls. I was glad to have met you during your recent trip to Vancouver. Keep up the good work. My experience is similar. Most people are extremely accepting. My BF and I totally enjoy my balllessness.

I'm not sure I would have had the chutzpah to join a eunuch float. I participated in our Pride parade yesterday, but as a member of Team Vancouver that will be going to the gay games in Chicago and the out games in Montreal in summer 2006.

[sag111 (imported)]

Jeff i want to thank you for a delightfull evening a few weeks back and i to was so glad i had the chance to meet you.Please let me know if you are comming this way i would love to do lunch again with you my friend.