Gay Abandon go to Gay Pareeeeeee!

I've just got back from an amazing weekend in Paris for the marche et concert des fiertés for Pride 2012. Gay Abandon is the choir that I've been a member of for over a year now, and we were invited to join Podium Paris for this wonderful event. I can definitely say that becoming part of this choir is the best thing I've done in a long time. Whilst being in Leeds for university has made me become more independent for living etc, it is being part of the choir that has given me more confidence and has also been a place where I've met many wonderful people. GA is really something I'm going to miss when on my year abroad, but also, when I graduate, because it will be a good few years before I return to Leeds - if I ever do.

Enough of the cheesy, soppy stuff. I arrived in Paris on Friday afternoon, and after I successfully found my own way to my hostel, we met up in various bars in and around Châtelet and The Marais. Saturday was the march itself and Gay Abandon were alongside Podium either on the first truck or walking in front of it. After walking what seemed to be a fair distance from Montparnasse, we realised that we hadn't even reached Luxembourg, the third-of-the-way marker. The march took 3 hours in total from Boulevard du Montparnasse to the Bastille. We definitely underestimated the amount of press that would be there - I certainly began to feel slightly more nervous when I saw press from Canal+, Europe1 and Le Monde. 

Dressed in the new tee-shirts which I designed, and the impressive flat-pack hats and masks, we looked wonderful. The fantastic, rainbow-coloured pop-up umbrellas were a real hit with the crowd, I certainly didn't expect them to become such a fundamental part to the weekend, but after doing some on-the-spot choreography with them, some were offering to buy them for €10! (Sadly, we needed them for the next day). Just before we reached the Bastille, a group of people laid down to signify the start of a three minute silence for victims of HIV and Aids and despite there being an estimated 600,000 people there, the streets went from being really loud and lively in celebration of being proud to deathly silent. You could have heard a pin drop.

Just before this, we marched past a church which was holding its own, very small anti-gay protest. There was probably less than 20 people there, holding one sign which read 'No marriage, no adoption'. This was the perfect time to play the following song which became the song of the weekend; not only because it was played so often, but because Podium sung their own version too, which was great.

Sunday came around and it was time to head to the Parc du Buttes Chaumont for the Pride concert, which went well, with only one, minor technical hitch. As most of us don't speak French, all of our songs were in English, but the soloist for Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way' ended with 'né comme ça, Paris' after which all the umbrellas popped up in all directions. In the evening, we were invited to a barbecue which, after lots of singing, dancing and wine, lead to a few members singing their hearts out on the metro on the way back to hotels.

What a wonderful weekend it has been, merci beaucoup to Podium Paris for inviting us, although we can't promise that if you visit us in Leeds, you'll be as amazed and impressed as we were. So that was my last concert with Gay Abandon for 15 months - what a way to end though! I'll be back to see you all soon.


Linking this with my Year Abroad, having survived getting in and around Paris by myself (although with the help of a friend) and not getting too overwhelmed with anxiety, has given me more confidence. Also, being frequently asked for directions, told that I look French and that my French is quite good, I'm not so worried about going to Lannion in September...


Quotes of the weekend:
'Don't worry, they'll probably fancy you...' When referring to the kids I'll be working with *cue me becoming speechless*
'It's because you're a lesbian' in response to me saying that I find it easier to understand female-spoken French
'So how many of you are watching the choir or the gorgeous conductor?'