Annual Shame parade attracts record number of participants, but no spectators

SOMETIME AFTER PRIDE, HILLCREST — There are no banners at the Shame parade. No floats. No music. No smiling politicians, eager to latch on to the general good feeling. And no spectators, save for the few passersby who pause to shake their heads and sneer. Just the heavy tread of guilt-laden marchers and the steady snuffle of weeping, punctuated by the occasional moan of interior desolation. If Pride is a celebration of sexuality, Shame is mourning over it.

"We take all sorts here," said Shame Founder Mort Ifae. "Straight or gay, cis or queer. Anyone whose sexual desire has led them to do things they told themselves they wouldn't do, for whatever reason. Sometimes, it's a religious thing, but more often than not, the shame arises within the context of a relationship. Though of course, sometimes, that relationship is with a computer. We started small, but a few years ago, there was a rumor that Tiger Woods participated — I mean, who else would have a Nike swoosh on his hood? Anyway, that drew a lot of interest, and now we're up over a thousand."

"I guess it's possible for some people to be proud of their sexuality," said a marcher, who, like all the others, chose to remain anonymous. "But my twisted desires led to the destruction of my marriage, and even after that disaster, I still can't control them. Oh God, it's awful."