Speculation: Should Obama Show At Chicago Pride?

There has been a lot of talk lately about Obama's pro-gay stance. In fact, he's directly reached out to the GLBT's a couple time in the past week, first in an open letter to the community, the second time today by appointing a new LGBT relations head to his team (although, he also met with the crazies this morning too...). At today's gay-centric event, Obama's campaign highlighted their commitment to have a presence at over 60 Pride celebrations this month!

That is a pretty huge number. Previous candidates have had a supporter or two hand out buttons in NY and LA, maybe Chicago, but I can't recall a campaign that has made this big of a commitment to the queer community. All this support is lending to speculation about Obama himself showing up at a Pride parade. If I were a betting man, I'd say that if he were to grace a Pride parade with his Presumptive Democratic Party Nominee-ness, it'd be here in his hometown of Chicago.

But because I'm a betting man, I'm going to go ahead and say I don't think he will. Having supporters at an events is one thing, but being there in person is an entirely different thing. Framing yourself with all of the debauchery fun and excitement of a Pride celebration may send the wrong message to middle-of-the-road voters who, although they are pro gay-rights and absolutely fine with gay people in general, may not be able to deal with trannies is 10-inch heals, mid-riff shining in the sun, twirling batons that are somehow lit by rainbow flames. That just may be a little too much. Maybe.

Now then, if he did show up at Chicago Pride, I'm pretty sure I would worship his every step from there on in, as that would be a ballsy move. But I'm not planning on it. If you'll excuse me now, I have to go try and figure out why I care about that Alva guy that's Grand Marshalling our parade this year...