When we signed up to participate in the Oz-Stravaganza Parade in Chittenango, we were excited. After all, what better place to celebrate community than the hometown of L. Frank Baum, creator of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz?

We went all in decorating our Jeep. A bright yellow brick road stretched across the vehicle, rainbows added color and pride, and a pair of ruby slippers peeked out from under the hood as if the Wicked Witch herself had met an untimely end. To complete the experience, we blasted “Ease on Down the Road” from The Wiz.

While many people associate Oz with the classic 1939 film or the more recent popularity of Wicked, we chose The Wiz because it captured exactly how we were feeling. Its upbeat energy, message of perseverance, and celebration of individuality felt like the perfect soundtrack for our journey.

But before the parade began, there was some nervousness.

For one of us, this was a first visit to Chittenango. Looking around before the parade started, there were plenty of people who, at first glance, appeared to have political views that might not always align with LGBTQ+ inclusion. Not knowing if we would be the only openly queer-themed float in the parade, there was a real sense of apprehension. Would people be welcoming? Would we be met with silence? Worse, would we face hostility?

As the parade stepped off, those fears began to fade.

Along the route, we were greeted with smiles, waves, cheers, and an abundance of rainbow colors. What stood out most were the many “Friends of Dorothy” we spotted among the crowd. Some waved Pride flags. Others wore rainbow shirts, pins, or accessories. Some simply offered knowing smiles and enthusiastic support.

For those unfamiliar with the phrase, “Friend of Dorothy” holds a special place in LGBTQ+ history. Long before it was safe for many people to openly identify as gay, the phrase served as a discreet way for LGBTQ+ people to recognize one another. The exact origins are debated, but it is most commonly associated with Dorothy Gale from The Wizard of Oz, whose journey of finding acceptance among a group of outsiders resonated deeply within the queer community. Over time, asking if someone was a “Friend of Dorothy” became a coded way of asking whether they were LGBTQ+ or an ally.

Standing in the hometown of Oz, surrounded by people embracing that spirit of friendship and acceptance, the symbolism wasn’t lost on us.

What we found that day was not division. We found community.

The Oz stories have always been about people who felt different finding courage, heart, wisdom, and belonging. As we traveled down the parade route, singing and dancing to “Ease on Down the Road,” we experienced a little bit of that ourselves.

The love we received from spectators reminded us that assumptions can sometimes build walls that reality quickly tears down. We arrived wondering how we would be received. We left feeling welcomed, celebrated, and grateful.

To everyone who cheered, waved, smiled, and shared a little Oz magic with us: thank you.

You reminded us that sometimes the road to understanding isn’t as long as we think.

Sometimes, you just have to ease on down the road.

With Pride,

LGBTQ Syracuse