Halloween in the Castro
San Francisco, 2004
Though Halloween in SF's Castro district has been a huge crazy street party for years, for the past two years it has been a more organized event, with a $3 "donation" to get in and no alcohol at all. But while others bemoaned this corporatization, I thought it was okay. At least fewer people got stabbed.
But I have changed my mind. This year's festivities were run, behind the scenes, by KRON-4. And here is what happened: The Man censored the Woman.
The television guys watched me nervously through the corners of their eyes as I waited to go on stage for the costume contest. Someone finally approached me, telling me that they did want to get me on stage, but they were worried about losing their license.
I ended up briefly gracing the stage, but I was barred from the costume contest. In the goddamned Castro on Halloween! Are you kidding me? My costume is made for Halloween in the Castro!
So, censorship blows. But other than that, I had a good time.
This woman's costume was my favorite—the pink Rabbit Pearl vibrator.
This debonair fellow is actually a woman.
A nice reversal of gender roles. (However, this does not mean I will start letting men wear my vagina costumes.)
This year I decided it was time to dress my bodyguards as well. I have found that it is not wise to wear such an attention-getting outfit as my costume without a little backup.
More San Francisco Halloween
SF's Castro District, 2003
Halloween in San Francisco's Castro district is clearly where a giant vagina belongs, and 2003 was no exception.
I wore a new costume, one built with far more finesse than my first attempt. It is sturdily made, effective and unambiguous.
When I ran into a guy dressed as a penis, all hell broke loose. The crowd was so bloodthirsty for the photo op that my personal camera crew was only able to get this shot.
Hot chicks, among other people, dig my costume.
San Francisco is such a lovely place. You know, I've heard there are places where it just wouldn't be okay to walk down the street dressed like this.
The Vagina Costume's First Halloween
The Castro, San Francisco 2002
While I had been creating vagina-themed artwork for a year, Halloween 2002 marked the debut of the vagina costume. Riding the coattails of this venerated organ to fame, I met an intensely positive reception. And thus was Vagina Lady born.
The costume was without a doubt the most eye-catching outfit I had ever worn. It was like being famous. Everywhere I went people wanted to take their picture with me. They screamed my name across the crowd.
I met a large inflatable penis, two guys in condom-like outfits, some Vagisil, a tampon, and many other friends. A man with tightly curled Mr. Brady hair and a slinky jumpsuit introduced himself: "Hi, I'm Ron Jeremy." I smiled politely and posed for a picture. "I believe we've met."
The taxi driver called my costume erotic, right before he mentioned he takes nude photographs and pays $30 an hour. (Not very much money for taking your clothes off!) On the crowded streets of the Castro, I was manhandled by all sorts of straight boys who thought they were terribly clever. (Thank heavens it wasn't my real vagina.) Finally I snapped at one who commented on my sexiness: "It's a fucking feminist statement!"