July 1, 2003

The following was submitted by Steve Dixon.

The San Francisco 2003 GLBT Pride Parade was spectacular as usual!  The weather was a tad cool and foggy but the sun finally came out and put smiles on our faces.  The Leather Contingent was the largest ever!  Mama's Russian River Family and Friends marched with Mama's Family Contingent.

Mama was resplendent in winged feathers and her trademark leather mask.  Mama led her family on the back of Michael Marrero's HUGE motor cycle.  The entire Leather Contingent was received with cheers from the crowd. 

Mama's River Family and Friends carried two banners.  Three River men carried Mama's Russian River Family banner, and two other men carried an additional banner announcing that we were from the Russian River in Guerneville, California.  Michael Myhand carried the flag of the Russian River Resort.

Among those marching were:  Phillip Linden, Michael Myhand, Scot and Glen, Denny and David, Kermit, Jim Peterson, Arnie and Paul, Steve, Larry and Danny, and other friends of Mama's River Family.  Jim Peterson did a wonderful job of organizing the River Contingent.  He also served as a parade monitor

Some great sightings:  L. J.  on the light pole...taking pictures of the contingent and the respect the River Family afforded the Divine Donna Sachet as we passed by her while she was sitting on the media platform!

Mama's Family and Friends received great media coverage (finally!!!!)

More notes:  Many thanks to Joe and Blake for doing such a great job in organizing the bus trip to the parade and to Richard and Mario for their hospitality at the Metro!  As soon as pictures of the parade are available, Wanda will have them on this site.

Congratulations to Arnie and Paul.  Arnie (Mr. Rainbow Leather 2003) was pinned by Mama as "Mama's River Rainbow" and Paul (Arnie's huzband) was pinned by Mama as "Mama's River Sunshine".