I'm Marching on Washington! The President Asked Me! (Sorta)

I have news. Big, Big, BIG news!

I have been sitting on this for a bit because it involves politics. I try to keep politics off my blog because I work hard to build this little community of mine with people who are from the right, left, and center on issues just like in my real life.

While politics are important and I hope all of you give careful thought and research on the issues you hold dear, politics doesn’t really go with posts on what type of wood filler to use.  Well, unless wood filler has some sort of political affiliation I don’t know about. Maybe it does. I never asked. We put our differences aside (me being human and wood filler being a mute, inanimate object) and  get the job done.

  

We good?

OK, here's the news.

I am marching in the 2013 Presidential Inauguration Parade!

I am carrying the state of Ohio flag (technically it is a pennant) as an ally in the honor guard of the Lesbian and Gay Band Association (LGBA) marching band. Our unit will be comprised of LGBA member bands, including my band the Capital Pride Band of Columbus. There will be over 200 of us marching down Pennsylvania Avenue to celebrate democracy.

The Capital Pride color guard and honor guard.
This is when I found out cargo shorts add way more 

badunk to my badunka dunk than I like.

LGBA made history in 2009 as the only lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender group in history to be invited to march in a Presidential Inaugural Parade.  And we're doing it again 2013!

Do you know who I have to thank for this?

Husband.

Every summer for the last three years, I relive my high school glory days and twirl flag in the Capital Pride Band of Columbus.  I got involved with the band through one of Husband's co-workers. 

To give you an idea about the talent of the musicians, I embedded a video of Cap Pride doing Raise Your Glass, my favorite routine to date.

I'm on the left side in the second row. 

When I found out the band was asked to march in the Inauguration Parade I talked Husband's ear off about it for weeks. I'm bad at sports and too small to be cast as the lead in most shows. Flag corps and color guard where the one thing I was good at in high school. My school didn't get big opportunities like marching at Disney or the Macy's Parade because to be honest, we weren't that good. As far as big performance opportunties go, this is it for me.

I assumed I'd get an email from the band giving me all of the details. Well, no. There was a sign up I didn't know about. I found out I missed the deadline when Capital Pride asked me to photograph their Fall band concert. 

I was seriously bummed.

Oh well, at least I can be happy for my friends. I didn't think much about it after that.

Until Husband came to my rescue.

Last week, Husband mentioned to his co-worker how disappointed I was when I missed the parade  deadline. Our friend said he might be able to work something out. Apparently, LGBA just decided to add an honor guard with state flags from each of the 19 states that are home to a LGBA member band.  It is not spinning, but it is marching  and the opportunity to represent Ohio, Columbus, and the GLBT friends, co-workers, and community that has been so good to Husband and I. 

I signed up, paid my fee, ordered a uniform, and started the security check process.  

In 10 days, Lisa goes to Washington!

I hope I do you proud.

PS: No matter what you think about the outcome of the past election or GLBT issues, please respect the office and be happy for me for this once in a lifetime opportunity.  Thanks.

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