Story highlights Redheads marched in Edinburgh, Scotland, for the UK's first Ginger Pride Walk

The event was started by a Canadian comedian named Shawn Hitchins

The event took place during Fringe Festival and aimed to raise awareness of 'gingerism'

To call myself a true ginger is rather an insult to all the legitimate redheads of the world. You know, the super shiny ones you carefully hide from your children.

"Mommy, what is that?"

"Nothing, dear. Just a horrible genetic mutation."

"Can we keep it?"

But, alas, I am one of them. I am a ginger.

To be fair, my hair (what's left of it) is really more of a light brown with gentle hints of crimson. However, in a pinch, my beard can definitely be used as a warning beacon for low-flying aircraft.

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"Jim, shouldn't that bright red light be wearing pants?"

Thus, while they'll never elect me King Ginger of the Pale, I'm definitely one among the people. Which is why I felt a certain amount of solidarity as I kept reading about the more than 100 redheads who recently marched in Edinburgh, Scotland, during the city's annual Fringe Festival.

The UK's first Ginger Pride Walk was actually orchestrated by a Canadian comedian named Shawn Hitchins , who said, "Although it isn't a real word, 'gingerism' exists, and bullying exists. ... Kids are being subjected to taunts or being bullied in schools just for having red hair."

So they marched through the streets of Scotland's capital, stretching out like a soulless , human laser pointer.

Despite the serious tone set by Hitchins, the event was, of course, organized to be fun. After all, if anyone knows how to have a good time, it's someone who can't go out in direct sunlight.

"Woo! Party over here! In the gazebo! C'mon, guys! Woo! Wear long sleeves! Woo!"

As the red-haired masses marched down the street, some held positive signs saying "IT GETS REDDER" and "GINGER AND PROUD."

Though, one little girl warned, "DON'T MAKE ME MAD OR I WILL GINGER SNAP."

I see what she did there.

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Of course, Edinburgh was the perfect place to hold such an event. While the worldwide percentage of natural redheads is only about 1% to 2%, in Scotland, it's somewhere closer to 13%. Which is still pretty low.

And some people think those numbers may get even lower.

In 2007, National Geographic suggested that, eventually, gingers might actually become extinct. Perhaps as soon as 2060.

While many disagreed with this prediction, it certainly didn't help that, in 2011, the world's largest sperm bank stopped accepting donations from gingers for lack of demand.

Aaaaaaand there goes my retirement plan.

Nevertheless, Hitchins has been encouraged by all the support he's received in his efforts to raise ginger awareness.

Especially online.

Naturally, then, I was curious what kind of resources were out there on the Web for my people. So, I did a little researching ... and mostly came up with links for fetish porn.

Though, in retrospect, perhaps I shouldn't have Googled "dirty redheads."

But two hours later I finally got back on track and discovered a couple legitimate support sites such as Redhead-World.net and RedheadandProud.com . I even found several dating options like HotForGinger.com

"I really like your profile. What's your SPF?"

So there's plenty of love and support out there for us pale-skinned, red-headed folks who need a little extra encouragement.

Still, it's kind of a bummer that some kids get teased just for being ginger. I was never THAT red, so I really don't know what it's like. But I'm sure it sucks, and hopefully these bullies will grow out of it and come to realize that freckles are awesome!

Favorite Redhead No. 2: André Villas-Boas proves that even ginger ninjas get the blues.

But, until then, if any gingers in the world need an extra boost of confidence, just remember this: Axl Rose is a redhead

And so are Conan O'Brien and Bonnie Raitt, and Willie Nelson and, apparently, Genghis Khan.

(But Carrot Top doesn't count. Because I said so.)

I applaud Hitchins and his Ginger Pride Walk. And maybe next year I'll be there in person to cheer them on. From a shaded, safe distance.

I'll be in the gazebo.