Arizona - Bisbee

Not a surprise considering Arizona's "open carry" stance on the right to carry a gun anywhere. BUT, quite a shock to me for a gay pride festival, and worrisome. A young man, looking tough and wandering through the festival with what appeared to be his girlfriend, carrying a gun (on his right, see larger picture for detail). Seemed like a recipe for disaster to me, but no one else at the festival seemed to even notice. The only saving grace seemed to be that if he drew the gun too quickly there was a good chance he'd shoot his own butt (see the larger picture). I later learned that many restaurants and other businesses in Arizona have signs at their entrances saying 'no weapons allowed', but there was no such sign at the entrance to the festival.

One of the performers at the Gay Pride festival. All of the performers that I heard were quite good.

One of the performers at the Gay Pride festival. All of the performers that I heard were quite good.

Close up of City Park, where the Gay Pride festival was staged later in the afternoon.

City Park, where the Gay Pride festival was staged later in the afternoon.

Window spectator as the parade ends in Brewery Gulch.

The parade ended in this area, Brewery Gulch, at the City Park (the yellow building in the distance)

Part of the motorcycle contingent in the Bisbee Gay Pride parade.

Part of the motorcycle contingent in the Bisbee Gay Pride parade.

The motorcycle contingent in the Bisbee Gay Pride parade - plus an earnest conversation about something!

The motorcycle contingent in the Bisbee Gay Pride parade.

Part of the motorcycle contingent in the Bisbee Gay Pride parade.

The man in the center of the photo is someone I photographed the first time I discovered Bisbee Gay Pride in 2007 (see link in comments), and has been there every time I've gone to their Pride.

AIDS Ribbon Tucson contingent in Bisbee Gay Pride parade.

AIDS Ribbon Tucson contingent in Bisbee Gay Pride parade.

The motorcycle contingent coming down into what is the most visited part of Bisbee.

Tucson Gay Freedom Day banner in Bisbee Gay Pride parade.