Organizers of Chicago's 31st Annual Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade estimate that more than 350,000 people turned out for a record pride parade in 2000, up from 300,000 in 1999. While there was a downpour Saturday, the skies cleared for a gorgeous parade Sunday.
A record number of contingents and sidewalks packed 10-20 people deep for most of the Halsted and Broadway route contributed to the high turnout. There were 248 official parade entrants, up from 235 last year.
The Horizons youth group kept the tradition of leading off the parade, followed by politicians including U.S. Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Luis Gutierrez. Mayor Daley still isn't working on Sundays, so he was again a no-show, but he did host a few hundred people earlier in the week at his annual pride reception, held at the Chicago Cultural Center—it has long since outgrown City Hall's 5th floor reception area.
Winner of the Best All-Around Float was GLEE Club/Circuit Mom Productions, while Cheetah Gym was named Best Business contingent. The previous day, June 24, Cheetah owner David Wilshire was host to Mayor Daley, 40th Ward Ald. Patrick O'Connor, 48th Ward Ald. Mary Ann Smith, and other business owners. The mayor spoke of the contributions of Andersonville-area businesses to that North Side district. Andersonville is among the next stops in the city's neighborhood "streetscape" renovation plan. Daley pointed out that gay and lesbian businesses were also vital to the growth of Andersonville.
Also at Sunday's Pride Parade, the Association of Latin Men in Action ( ALMA ) , who were joined by Amigas Latinas, ¡Ambiente P'aliente!, and other Latin/a individuals, won for Best Organization. There was also a very strong Latin presence throughout this year's parade.
The following won Special Parade Awards: Bonaventure House; the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network and their yellow school bus; and Beatnix/Circuit.
Those participating in the parade were watching the skies closely after Saturday's downpour. The Dyke March was likely impacted by the threatening skies, but about 500 did march from Andersonville to the Lake for the 5th Annual Dyke March. The ACLU Girls on Top was a big victim of the storms, because the event is held mostly outdoors.
But Sunday saw clear skies, a slight wind, and hundreds of thousands of participants and marchers.
The only dark side for the parade was a group of about a dozen anti-gays, who were positioned at Broadway and Halsted, where the parade turns to the south. Police officers were guarding the picketers, whose signs were filled with typical anti-gay venom. While some gays tried to engage the burly men, who refused to say where they were from ( although it was rumored they were from California ) , most simply ignored the picketers and tried to enjoy the afternoon. When Outlines asked the men what religion they were or where they were from, one responded they were "all religions" and they were from "Mars." Women who were apparently with the anti-gay men "worked the crowd" with their religious judgements.
The most political contingents in the parade included StopDrLaura.Com and the Lesbian Avengers ( opposing the Northalsted Pylons, as they did last year ) , along with a group opposing gentrification and one supporting marijuana use for medical purposes.
There were also dozens of youth-related groups, including GLSEN for teachers, Pride Youth, Horizons youth, About Face Youth Theatre, high school and college gay groups, and youth marching with Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. PFLAG once again received the longest sustained applause, with dozens of parents, families and friends marching.
Other politicians marching included: Secretary of State Jesse White; Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas twirling her baton; Clerk of Circuit Court Candidate Dorothy Brown; gay judges Tom Chiola, Sebastian Patti and Nancy Katz; State Reps. Larry McKeon, Harry Osterman, and Sarah Feigenholtz; State's Attorney Dick Devine; Cook County Recorder of Deeds Eugene Moore; Alds. Vilma Colom and Joe Moore; County Commissioner Mike Quigley; and many others.
Hundreds of colorfully and elaborately dressed people and their pets adorned the parade and sidelines, with drag queens as the most popular "can I pose for a photo with you?" part of the parade. Pulsation and Forbidden Fruit bands were scheduled to entertain at the rally.
