And there was a new and exciting Pride in Pietarsaari this past weekend, Jeppis Pride, which was just fantastisk! so I'm gonna write about that instead.
I went there with Mikko as his arm candy/helper/map reader. He was there working for Sinuiksi.fi (advice and support service for LGBTI-people, check it out) and had room in his car and I was on a vacation so it worked out perfectly. On top of that, we got to hang out with some of the people from SETA's board, who I don't get to see often, so that was nice. AND, on top of that, they are now being utilized in my quest to find my better half, as are some of the employees, so that's great. Now that led to some hilarious and embarrassing situations, but that's neither here nor there! We clearly didn't think the whole thing trough, as we had to leave on Saturday night to drive home the 4h drive it took to get to Mikko's place. The party on Saturday could have yielded some stories, phone numbers or smoke signals later on, but alas, I was tired. We kept around midnight and got to his place around 3:30am.
We started Thursday with an LGBTIQ-presentation/discussion at summer camp after which we went to Mikko's place, left my car there and hit the road. We left around 8pm and I live tweeted our road trip with the hashtag RoadTripToJeppisPride, which you can find from Instagram and Twitter.
Me and Mikko at Prometheus Camp. I went to visit my dads grave beforehand and let me tell you, it felt weird being there in all of my rainbow glory.
The "Sinuiksi/SETA" mobile.
On our way.
Blinding sun.
Route 66 was long! About halfway there.
Rainbow lights welcomed us to our hotel.
Gay Cafe was there too!
Friday was the day for panel discussions and Jeppis Pride was selling merchandise at the high school. I think my new Jeppis Pride shopping back is setting off alarms at stores, but I need to investigate further.
Being truly bilingual Pride, everything was in Swedish and in Finnish.
Our sinuiksi/Seta booth.
Seriously people, check out sinuiksi.fi. Also on twitter @sinuiksi.
Mikko and one of the organizers, Katarina.
Me with a smirk. I come out as a ax murderer in every picture, so don't mind me. I'm "quite ok" in real life and don't even own an ax.
Pietarsaari's mayor Mikael Jacobsson opened the Pride festival. "If even one person leaves here feeling like they are ok the way they are, Jeppis Pride has done its job"
Forssa Pride was also proud.
Right for culture panel discussion. I got some great ideas which I will try to make happen in Forssa in my limited time still here!
Panel discussion on trans issues.
We're already here! Art exhibition opening. After this we had a bite to eat and drinks with some fantastic, awesome people. No pictures were taken, but those people know who they are. I hope!
We finished our evening with a visit to the ocean.
Before the parade started. With someone's finger.
That flag was like a sail and with me having to carry 2 poles I got tired midway through and this gentleman was nice enough and offered to carry it for me.
Awesome rainbow dress. Unfortunately I don't remember her name, but she offered to carry some of the extra material we had with us. Same with few girls from Turku who had decided to come and support the Pride.
From After Eight after the parade.
I probably have not mentioned Sinuiksi-project yet, so you know, do your thing.
Pride organizer Jeanette on stage.
Sara Sundell brought the greetings from SETA to Jeppis Pride. One of those cool peeps I got to hang out with and who was telling me things about Finnish Swedish girls.
Mandatory picture of my iced coffee, with an ice-cream as a mixer.
I want to see Pride flags in Forssa as well. Working on that.
On our way home we came across a UFO.
Anyway, I want to thank Mikko, Sara, Aija, Suvi, Anna, Ulli, Heidi, Rita, Sirkka and all the other amazing and beautiful people I got to meet and hang out with this weekend and especially your willingness to speak Finnish around this language challenged person. I appreciated it! And to Jeppis Pride organizers: You should be really proud of yourselves, that was possibly the Pride event of the year! At least one of the best I've ever attended! Thank you!
(Edit: if we hung out and/or spoke and your name isn't on the list but you recognize yourself from the description, I'm sorry, I suck! Please forgive me?
Edit number 2: I never should have put any names here, I forgot a really obvious one, Jouko!)
