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Pride News Revelers dance to ‘Chapel of Love’ during Boston Pride
By Jun. 18, 2004
BOSTON (AP) — Court approval of same-sex marriage gave extra flair Saturday to the Boston Pride gay and lesbian parade, where men and women danced in tuxedos and wedding gowns atop floats and an oom-pah band played “Chapel of Love.” The crowd, which police estimated at between 50,000 and 100,000, grabbed necklaces and trinkets thrown from floats that crept from Copley Square to the Common. The 34th annual march, which organizers call New England’s largest, came almost a month after gay marriage became legal on May 17, following a ruling from the state’s highest court last year that denying marriage rights to gays and lesbians violated their civil rights. “It’s always fabulous, but there’s this little extra step this year that makes it special,” said Tracy Powers, 60, of Boston. At Powers’ first parade about 20 years ago, she wept out of fear that one of her French students might recognize her. This time she waved, smiled and called out to friends as she marched with a social club called Older Lesbian Energy. Few protesters were to be seen. On the parade route, Darrel Hopkins, 59, and his partner, Tom Casey, 52, held a banner proclaiming their September wedding date.
Mayor bans Gay Pride events in Polish city WARSAW, Poland — Lesbian and gay Poles planned a June 11 Pride march, but the city’s mayor banned all such festivities, Gay.com UK reported. The event was set to raise awareness of discrimination and homophobia in the country, but Mayor Lech Kaczynski put the brakes on the parade after anti-gay groups announced they would attend the event and counter-protest, news outlets reported. Gay rights advocates decried the mayor’s move but do not plan to continue with the parade, according to media reports. Officials in Krakow recently butted heads with people planning Pride celebrations there, as politicians claimed gay leaders intentionally scheduled their march on a national Catholic holiday to antagonize the religious right, news reports indicate. Those who participated in the Pride march were pelted with eggs and stones during last month’s event, according to media reports. Gay leaders want the European Union to punish Poland for its alleged discriminatory treatment of gays.
Fargo holds its first Gay Pride parade FARGO, N.D. (AP) — There were no floats, fire engines or marching bands, but an estimated 150 marchers, spanning two city blocks, took part in this city’s first Pride parade. Members and supporters of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community formed a historic line at noon June 6 in downtown Fargo. “I’m incredibly happy,” said Bob Uebel of the Pride Collective. “Even if we’d marched with 25 or 50 people, I’d still be happy. The thing was to do it.” The parade was a new addition to FM Pride, an annual gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender celebration now in its third year. “It’s my first Pride as a gay man,” said Steven Dais, a senior at North Dakota State University. “I felt it was important to take part.” Jasmine Perry, of Moorhead, Minn., said it was good to see “so many people who are so comfortable with who they are.” A lone protester stood with a sign on one street corner. As instructed by Uebel, marchers smiled and waved at him.
Gay rights supporters slam amendment at Tulsa Diversity Celebration parade TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Participants in a parade to celebrate gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Pride in Tulsa also took time to speak out against a proposed constitutional amendment to strengthen a ban on same-sex marriages in Oklahoma. A procession of more than 25 entries, including drag queens, AIDS activists, proud parents and church groups, traveled Tulsa streets Saturday before a festival. Hundreds of spectators cheered the Diversity Celebration parade, which is in its sixth year. Justin Conners, 22, said he only started letting others know he is gay a couple of months ago, but he feels it is important, especially considering the vote coming up in November. “I don’t think the general public realizes that probably someone they know and love is gay,” Conners said.
Mich. Pride rally includes symbolic wedding ceremony LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Gay men and lesbians from across Michigan assembled in the state capital Saturday for the annual Michigan Pride rally, with about 150 couples participating in a symbolic commitment ceremony on the steps of the statehouse. “It’s fun to feel like we’re the majority once in a while,” said Sarah Mieras, spokesperson for Michigan Pride, the group sponsoring the 16th annual rally. “It’s extremely empowering for people to feel that they are accepted and loved.” About 15,000 people were expected to attend Saturday’s events, which included a march of about 40 organizations, educational presentations, a rally at the Capitol, a mass marriage-vow ceremony and a festival. About 150 couples embraced on the Capitol steps during the commitment ceremony. The vows were merely symbolic, since the state doesn’t recognize same-sex marriages. Alexandra Raven, 30, of Lansing, attended the march as a way to support her friends and family, many of whom are gay. “If I can come here to be a positive voice, that’s what I want to do,” she told the Lansing State Journal.
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