To the Editor:
Uncle Tom and Uncle James have warned us children that if they do not see "significant improvement" in our behavior at the the Gay Pride this year, they just might take us to the wood shed and move the parade elsewhere. To quote, "the parties ( Ald. Tunney, Cappleman and the mayor's office, among others ) are in agreement that if there is not a serious improvement in the parade's impact on surrounding residents' ( straight folks'? ) quality of life this year," recommendations for moving the parade out of the Lakeview community will be made.
I've lived first in the 44th and now in the 46th wards for the last 35+ years. I've gone to all the Pride Parades held during these years, and I will be damned if I'm going to let two aldermen who appear to be more concerned with the opinions of individuals at the Chicago Dept. of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the mayor's office hijack our parade.
Last year, Cappleman blocked the after-parade celebration by mostly young Black gays and lesbians over by Montrose Harbor and Beach. I remained silent. That was a mistake I will not make again.
David Klein
Chicago