It’s Gay Pride Week here in this anonymous city in which I live (for the sake of this blog, we’ll call this city “Cupidia”). There’s a massive gay population here in Cupidia - in fact, the gay neighborhood (for the sake of this blog, we’ll call this area the “Gayborhood”) has a level of prominence and mainstream acceptance that it appears on government maps and tourist brochures. One of the many, many large events in this celebration of gayness is the Gay Pride Parade, featuring the kind of insane costumes, over-the top camp, and embodiments of physical perfection that you would expect from these festivities. The last little bit has always bugged me a little - I can understand why the gay community would want to put their best foot forward and show off the hottest guys and gals that money can buy, but where are the plump gay guys (and gals)? I refuse to believe that every gay man on this planet looks like a model for Abercrombie and Fitch.

That’s not to say that the plump ‘n’ gay don’t have a presence at the parade, and if nothing else people lining the sidewalks represent every possible background. But when it comes to the public face of gayness (to say nothing of the kind of dudes that appear in the ad copy for gay dating sites), there isn’t too many gents over thirty five and 160 pounds. That’s always changing of course - more and more examples of older gentlemen pop up everywhere, and the gay sites are giving the straight pages a run for their money when it comes to specializing niches (”Are you a gay Taiwanese welder? Come on down and see what kind of dating options are available”, etc etc). Gay dating on Pride weekend certainly reflects this diversity.

Still, the whole dating style thing seems to still treasure the fit and young, and that goes for the representation of gay men on parades. Not that that fact changes the diversity that’s available, at least here in Cupidia. The major advantage of the Pride Parade has over nightclubs is that it draws people who wouldn’t normally set foot in an overheated disco - hopefully the Pride Parade will continue to be as inclusive as it’s becoming.

(original article)