Pride march expected to attract more people

[Patrick]

Looks like this years pride march is expected to attrach more people. Interesting.

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"Gay marriage vote may boost parade turnout


By Judy Gibbs Robinson
The Oklahoman

Last fall's vote against gay marriage in Oklahoma could produce another record turnout for this year's gay pride parade, organizers predict.


The November vote left gay people feeling pushed into a corner, said Paul Thompson, co-chairman of OKC Pride Inc., sponsor of Oklahoma City's 18th Annual Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered & Intersex Pride Parade and Human Rights March, which begins at 5 p.m. Sunday at Memorial Park.

"There's a lot of gay people who are very upset with that," Thompson said. "I think they're going to participate and be proud."

About 70 units had preregistered as of Monday, a little ahead of the same time last year. Registrations will continue "almost to the last minute," Thompson said.

Even without the marriage vote, parade participation increases every year.

"In 18 years, we've grown from 500 to probably 25,000 people participating and watching along the way," Thompson said.

The parade, with the theme "Unity in Pride 2005," caps a two-day festival from 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at Memorial Park. In addition to the usual booths, this year's festival will feature two stages with an entertainment schedule that includes karaoke, dance, improv and a dog contest with categories such as "guy magnet" and "chick magnet."

In addition, the festival will have a children's section, where activities will include reading the children's book "King & King." Some patrons of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Library System attempted unsuccessfully this spring to get the fictional account of a gay prince reshelved where children wouldn't see it.

The goal of the festival and parade is to have fun rather than preach about gay rights, Thompson said.

"The focus is on having a good time, and if there is something to be learned, we try to sugar-coat the pill," he said."

[Patrick]

PARADE
What: Unity in Pride 2005, a parade celebrating gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and intersex pride.

When: 5 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Route begins at Memorial Park at NW 35 and Classen Boulevard, goes north on Classen to NW 44, makes a U-turn and returns south on Classen to NW 39, then goes west to the gay business district along NW 39 Expressway.

Who: Sponsored by OKC Pride Inc., which replaced Pride Network Inc. this year.

Source: www.okcpride.com