CHICAGO 46th ANNUAL PRIDE PARADE PRIDE PARADE: SUNDAY JUNE 28 at 12 Noon
CHANGES: Less Alcohol, More Security
GRAND MARSHAL: Country music star, TY HERNDON
THEME: The Chicago 46th Annual Pride Parade is scheduled for Sunday June 28 at 12 Noon with the international theme, "Color Our World with Pride."
Pride Parades are staged in over 135 cities worldwide with more than 70 of them in the United States and at least 12 taking place on the last weekend of June each year.
HISTORY: The parades commemorate the Stonewall rebellion that took place on June 28, 1969 when patrons of a New York City gay bar, the Stonewall Inn, fought back during a raid by police. At that time gay bars were frequently raided across the country. That night, bar patrons fought the police and street demonstrations continued for several days. During that week gay liberation groups were formed, thus giving birth to the modern day LGBT rights movement.
LESS ALCOHOL, MORE SECURITY: As recently reported, the Chicago Pride Parade will remain in the Lakeview/Uptown neighborhoods for this year. Although there were some suggestions to move the parade to an alternate location, city officials chose to keep the parade on the same route.
However, to help assure that the parade remains in the Lakeview/Uptown neighborhoods, one of the problems that has to be curtailed is the illegal consumption of alcoholic beverages on the sidewalks and in the street.
As part of the "Color Our World with Pride theme" this year is the attempt to reduce the amount of open alcohol, both during and after the parade. Besides police officers supplied by the city, parade organizers are providing 90 off-duty police officers at points along the parade route. "While most parade attendees come to watch and enjoy the parade, potential spectators who plan to consume open containers of alcoholic beverages along the parade route are advised not to attend," according to parade coordinator Richard Pfeiffer. "We want this to be a pleasant, safe, healthy and fun day for everyone." Penalties include, but are not limited to $1000 tickets being issued and/or the immediate disposal of open containers of alcohol. Chicago Police officers and security officers will be stationed at various points along the parade route to intercept people with open containers of alcoholic beverages.
Although LGBTs live throughout the city, there is still a high concentration of LGBTs in the Lakeview/Uptown neighborhoods. This area is home to other LGBT institutions including the Legacy Project, the Senior Housing project, the Center on Halsted, Pride Fest and Market Days and many LGBT businesses, to name a few.
PARADE ROUTE: The parade starts at 12 Noon at the corner of Montrose and Broadway, proceeding south on Broadway, then south on Halsted, then east on Belmont, then south on Broadway, then east on Diversey to Cannon Drive. Thousands of people line the parade route for the annual event.
The parade will kick-off with the color guard headed up by the "Scouts For Equality" who will be carrying several flags including United States, State of Illinois, Cook County, City of Chicago and the rainbow Pride flags. The group is made up of Scouts and their supportive families and friends.
The parade will contain 200 entries featuring colorful floats, decorated vehicles, marching bands and walking contingents representing community businesses, organizations, elected government officials and individuals. The parade is a culmination of June Pride Month that each year features dozens of events such as choral concerts, athletic events, dances, festivals and workshops, to name a few.
GRAND MARSHAL: The Grand Marshal for this year's parade is country music star, TY HERNDON, who came out last November when he announced that he is "an out, proud and happy gay man." The singer's career includes 17 Billboard hits and three number one hits. He is a Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning artist. He has appeared at benefits and fundraisers for LGBT youth, including co-hosting a major youth fundraising event, The Concert for Love and Acceptance in Nashville, home of country music, presented by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation ( GLAAD ).
For more information: Parade Coordinator: Richard Pfeiffer: 773-348-8243 land line or PrideChgo@aol.com
Official parade web site: Chicago PrideCalendar.org ( for updated information on parking restrictions, street closures, cross over streets, etc. )
For information: contact Richard Pfeiffer, parade coordinator at 773-348-8243 ( land line BEFORE parade day ).
Email: PrideChgo@aol.com Official Parade web site: www.ChicagoPrideCalendar.org ( for updated information on parking restrictions, street closures, cross over streets and other parade information ).
Richard Pfeiffer ( parade coordinator )