Silver Linings with The Old Gays

Episode: "Pride, from Protest to Parade: ‘As American as apple pie.’"

Date: November 4, 2025
Hosts: Robert Reeves, Jessay Martin, Bill Lyons, Mick McPeterson

Overview

This bonus episode of Silver Linings with The Old Gays celebrates Pride—its history, evolution, and deeply personal significance. Reflecting on decades of activism, discrimination, liberation, and joy, the Old Gays share memories from early rebellious marches to today’s exuberant, family-friendly parades. Their stories are nostalgic, humorous, and moving, underpinned by a recognition of both the struggles endured and the progress made. The episode explores how Pride has transformed from acts of protest to vibrant parades, and it honors the community’s legacy while recognizing ongoing challenges.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Roots of Pride: From Rebellion to Parade

• Stonewall and the Birth of Pride:
  • “In June of 1969, the New York City Police Department raided a little bar in New York City called the Stonewall Inn…that night, the people inside fought back.” – Mick McPeterson, [01:22]
  • “Some say a butch lesbian started it. Some say Marsha P. Johnson threw the first brick. But either way, Pride started because queer folks got sick of being harassed, arrested, and treated terribly.” – Robert Reeves, [01:38]
  • “Pride was a rebellion long before it was a parade.” – Jesse Martin, [01:56]

2. First Pride Experiences: Shock, Joy, and Community

• Overcoming Fear and Embracing Visibility:
  • “There was a time when Pride meant marching in fear of getting arrested. Now, it means walking down the street in fear of getting sunburned.” – Bill Lyons, [00:55]
  • Accounts of initial Pride events, from the 1979 West Hollywood parade to early 1980s San Francisco, focus on newfound freedom, the overwhelming sense of kinship, and the risk involved due to societal stigma and legal threats.
  • “Everybody had a grin. Everybody was happy. It was just a joyous occasion.” – Robert Reeves, recalling his first parade, [03:14]
  • “It was very freeing to be in a gay crowd. I'd been in church all this time and child, this was a new worship experience.” – Jesse Martin, [04:25]

3. Parade Evolution: From Protest to Family-Friendly Celebration

• Changing Society and Growing Acceptance:
  • “One thing that I really enjoy seeing now is the amount of families that come out to watch the Gay Pride parade.” – Robert Reeves, [07:45]
  • Pride now includes not only the LGBTQ+ community but also families, allies, and children, reflecting acceptance and progress.
  • Mick discusses the excitement and nervousness of early events, highlighting that being ‘out’ was still risky—cameras were avoided for fear of being outed or fired. [08:49]

4. Stories and Iconic Moments

• Favorite Moments & Memories:
  • Driving the ‘Balloon Girls’ float in San Francisco for a parade with over a million attendees, marveling at the sea of people. – Bill Lyons, [13:33]
  • “...all of a sudden the earth started to shake...and all of these dykes on bikes came through…one was topless and just huge…those two lesbians, how big were they? They were huge.” – Robert Reeves, sharing a vivid memory, [15:24]
  • The tale of a Pride parade medical mishap in Palm Springs, turning a hospital gurney-ride into an unexpected parade float, with Bill cheerfully waving to the crowd while “very happy stoned at the time.” – [16:27–17:24]

5. The Meaning of Pride

• Personal Reflections:
  • “Pride is freedom for me, and pride is freedom. Family, my new family.” – Jesse Martin, [20:17]
  • “Allowing gay people to celebrate their identity and to affirm that they are worth something as a person.” – Robert Reeves, [20:25]
  • “Feeling spiritually uplifted about who I am and not having any questions whatsoever at having made the wrong choice—because it's not a choice.” – Bill Lyons, [20:41]
  • “I am standing on the shoulders of so many millions of queer people who sacrificed their lives for what we have today…our story here is as American as apple pie.” – Mick McPeterson, [21:17]

6. Progress, Sacrifice, and Ongoing Challenges

• From Police Threat to Police Escort:
  • “When I first really started participating in the gay world…the police were arresting us simply for going into a gay bar. And now we were being escorted by a massive number of police. That struck me as one of the biggest changes that have happened.” – Bill Lyons, [22:39]
  • Recognition of how much has changed, but with a sober eye on places where LGBTQ+ rights are still under threat: “There are places in the world…it can be punishable by death. We have to understand that experience is also part of pride.” – Mick McPeterson, [23:39]
• Looking Forward:
  • “For me, the future of pride is...I hope to be surprised. The world that we grew up in doesn't exist anymore.” – Mick McPeterson, [23:39]
  • “I think another thing that's encouraging about pride is that it is slowly being celebrated around the world.” – Robert Reeves, [24:48]
  • “You got to have friends...that's what pride is about.” – Mick McPeterson, [25:13]

7. Silver Linings: The Lasting Value of Pride

• “I think pride itself is silver linings.” – Robert Reeves, [26:09]
• “We've made great progress. And now comes the time to, as they say, secure the ground.” – Mick McPeterson, [26:23]
• “Celebrate yourself and fight for yourself.” – Jesse Martin, [26:32]
• “It's a celebration of being.” – Bill Lyons, [26:59]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Pride’s Essence:
  • “Pride was a rebellion long before it was a parade.” – Jesse Martin [01:56]
  • “Our story here is as American as apple pie.” – Mick McPeterson [21:17]
• On First Parades:
  • “It was overwhelming because I'd never seen so many...blondes, big, big muscle bodies…for a little wimpy that had come from Nebraska, you know, but my eyes were wide and it was very freeing.” – Jesse Martin [04:25]
• On Community:
  • “The best part about it is walking around the fair, cruising other guys with your shirt off in that beautiful California sun.” – Mick McPeterson [11:56]
• Comic Relief:
  • “All of a sudden the earth started to shake...and all of these dikes on bikes came through. And...she was also topless. And these two lesbians, how big were they? They were huge.” – Robert Reeves [15:24]
  • “I was just waving at the crowd with a big smile on my face. I was very happy stoned at the time.” – Bill Lyons [17:24]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------|:--------------:| | Welcome and Introduction | [00:34–00:55] | | History of Pride/Stonewall | [01:22–01:56] | | First Pride Memories | [02:29–04:09] | | Early Parades and Social Risks | [06:06–08:49] | | Families & Generational Change | [07:45–08:49] | | Favorite Moments and Fun Anecdotes | [13:33–17:24] | | Reflections: The Meaning of Pride | [20:07–21:17] | | Pride's Evolution & Police Relations | [22:39–23:39] | | Global Perspective/Future Hopes | [24:39–25:13] | | Silver Linings & Closing Thoughts | [26:04–26:59] |

Conclusion

This episode is a vibrant, heartfelt journey through the history of Pride—both personal and political. The Old Gays weave humor with history, irreverence with reverence, and nostalgia with hope, illustrating that Pride is not just a parade, but a testament to survival, camaraderie, creativity, and joy. Their candid voices remind listeners that what is now a celebration began with bravery and protest, and that its future, while uncertain, is brighter for the love and resilience of the queer community.

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