Sunday, June 28, 2009 marked the 40th Anniversary of Chicago’s (and other cites across the country) Gay Pride Parade.  The first Pride Parades came in 1970, one year after the Stonewall Riots of June 28th 1969, when gays and lesbians took a stand against New York City Police at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, thus starting the Gay Rights Movement in the United States and across the world.

One would hardly call the parade a parade at all when it first started in 1970. Then it was just a modest group that marched the sidewalk of North Halstead Street, shouting and calling for gay rights.  But, they returned year after year and the celebration grew and grew. So large, in fact, that it totally takes over North Halstead, with the sidewalks being for spectators. So many spectators at times that metal barriers are linked together to keep spectators at bay.

Other major cities such as New York City, San Francisco and Toronto also held their parade this day.

Aside from this being the 40th Anniversary (to the day) of the Stonewall Riots, this year’s parade also had the first Transgendered Grand Marshal, Chicago’s very own and actress Alexandra Billings, who remarked, “This is a great day for solidarity and a fabulous day for sequins”. This year’s featured participants, in no particular order included members of The Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame, The Lakeside Pride Band, Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weiss and Gay and Lesbian members of the Chicago Police Department, Equality Illinois, representatives from GLADD,  The Jane Addams Hull House, The Chicago Gay Hockey Association, Dykes on Bikes, and The Chicago Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Veterans marched, some in full uniform. As I mentioned, gay and lesbian Chicago police officers participated in the parade and it has been said that in the beginning of the parade telecasts that they not televise the officers to protect their identities, and now they ride toward the front of the parade every year and proudly televised.

Crowds danced along with performers in the parade, many of whom made statements in support of gay marriage. Politicians who walked the parade say it is a hot-button issue for the state.

Of the many politicians who marched in the parade was our very own Governor Pat Quinn, who when asked what the Parade, and Pride Day meant to him, replied, “I believe in tolerance, and I think everyone in Illinois and the Land of Lincoln understands that everybody counts. We want everybody in and nobody left out.”

Newly elected Fifth District Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL) celebrated his 27th Chicago Gay Pride Parade and said “It’s a beautiful day and a beautiful time for equality”.

State Representative Sara Feigenholtz (D-12th District) exclaimed “It’s my favorite day of the year!!” She was joined by first time parade attendee State Representative Susana Mendoza (D-1st District).  Greg Harris (D), 13th District Representative in the Illinois Legislature and a strong same sex marriage legalization advocate said he wished some of his downstate colleagues would be as supportive of the community and its goals as Chicagoans.

Nettelhorst Elementary School parents marched near the front of the parade, leaving behind a wave of bubbles. One kid-filled wagon was topped with a sign that read: “School is out and so are my dads.”

A large, well organized police presence appeared to mingle well with the crowds and reported no major problems .  Fire Department paramedics dealt with heat related issues, but thankfully for the cooperative weather and strong cooling breeze, their services were limited.Halsted merchants were happy with the great turnout and the wonderful weather.

I personally have yet to attend a Pride Parade, but have watched the coverage for the 6 years it has been televised here in Chicago on ABC 7.  The coverage is weak at best, half of the time the commentators have no idea who is marching in front of them, and the parade is never televised live, but rather late at night, and for an hour minus commercial breaks, when the actual parade to my knowledge lasts over 2 1/2 hours.  Why can’t the parade be televised live as it’s happening like any other parade?  Why bury it late at night when people are usually asleep on a Sunday night?  I guess we still have a long way to go, at least here in Chicago before we receive equal rights. Sorry Mr. Governor, but I feel left out.

FYI:  Of all the parades in Chicago, the Pride Parade is the 2nd largest parade. The largest?  The Bud Billiken Back to School Parade.

Guess I’ll be going to next year’s Pride Parade.

But, aside from that, Happy Anniversary Chicago Pride!  Forty Years and Still Going Strong!!!

Until Next Time

Michael Queenstown

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