Cities nationwide celebrate 35th anniversary of gay pride

[struggle4progress]

JUSTIN M. NORTON
Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO - Undeterred by recent setbacks in the push to legalize same-sex marriage, tens of thousands of festively dressed people marched in parades around the country Sunday to celebrate the 35th anniversary of gay pride.

People celebrated in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Seattle, Atlanta and other cities, though the event comes during a tough period for gay rights advocates. A bill to legalize same-sex marriage died this year in the California Assembly, and many states have passed or are pursuing constitutional amendments outlawing gay marriage. <snip>

http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/news/11992332.htm

[mahatmakanejeeves]

1. I thought it was the 36th anniversary.

The Stonewall riots were in 1969. I suppose that the first gay pride parade was held on the first anniverary of the riots.

Google for "Stonewall 1969"

[oneold1-4u]

2. A Gay Day

All over the world and quite peaceful. Even Hillary was there! And the mayor of SF of course. The SW republicans couldn't stay away and were well accepted. The world didn't come to an end so the religious zealots are out of luck!

[HockeyMom]

3. My daughter said she saw Hillary

when she passed by the group she was with. They starting chanting, "Hillary, Hillary, 2008, 2008". Hillary turned around, smiled, and waved at them.

I wish I could have been there to help show my support, unfortunately this heat is just too much for me. Maybe next year.

[BR_Parkway]

4. Wow, individual parades attracted 100's of thousands and even up to a

million, but the article clearly states that 10's of thousands marched nationwide.

No wonder this country is in so much debt, they add up all those millions and come up with tens of thousands.

[iverglas]

5. heh; Toronto had 125,000

Sounds like it was more than the entire US. ;)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=190x6363

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/06/26/pride-parade-050626.html

Of course, Canada's celebrations included weddings!

"To me, it sums up so much of what Toronto is about. Everyone's welcome here, everyone's respected," said Toronto Mayor David Miller.

"We're very proud we're the place where same-sex marriage, the first one, was performed."

Miller marched in the parade alongside several city councillors and Toronto police Chief Bill Blair, who was the first person holding that office to take part.

Members of the Ontario Provincial Police also joined the march for the first time, including two female officers holding hands.

The US celebrations got a footnote:

Pride parades also took place on Sunday in U.S. cities, including San Francisco and New York.

... so I thought non-US events deserved one here. ;)