Nobody's Gonna Rain on Our Parade: Gay Contingent to March in Inauguration Day Parade

Published December 09, 2008 @ 06:20PM PT

Obama Well, it's not everyday I get to title a blog post with a paraphrase from Barbra Streisand. And normally I'd shy away from it because I hate fulfilling stereotypes, but it's pretty hard not to today, because President-Elect Barack Obama's Presidential Inaugural Committee has chosen an LGBT contingent to march in the January 20 Inauguration Day parade. It will be the first time in history that an LGBT group will march in a Presidential Inauguration Parade.

The Lesbian and Gay Band Association has been chosen to march. Here's their statement, announcing the news: "We are extremely pleased to announce that the Lesbian and Gay Band Association will be included as a marching contingent in the Inaugural Parade. This is the first time that an LGBT group will be represented in a Presidential Inaugural Parade, truly our chance to make history."

This is great news! Incidentally, a few days ago we posted about the Web site In the Parade, which was created in the wake of Obama's election to encourage him to select an LGBT contingent for his Inaugural Day celebrations. To steal a phrase from our current President, "Mission Accomplished."

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There were over 3000 bands that put in requests...only 2 dozen selected i hear... Can't wait to see and hear them.Remember its a WHITE KNOT day tomorrow...60 ANNIV of Human Rights, 3rd Day Without a Gay.. don't know about WHITE KNOT symbol...go to whiteknot.org.

Posted by Lee Dorsey on 12/09/2008 @ 10:00PM PT
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Good morning Lee.....

Looks like we are both heading to the WIKI for information on the White Knot....but I suspect that this 62 year old guy has been a "witness to history" of genocide when it was promised 63 years ago that it would " NEVER AGAIN " happen on our good earth. !

I blinked more than once when I read about the band. Adds new meaning to " THE BOYS IN THE BAND" don't you agree? LOL.
My only hope is that they understand that discretion is the better part of valor....

Posted by A B on 12/10/2008 @ 06:38AM PT
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When I told my spouse and my son about this at lunch today, my spouse wanted to know what I knew about this particular band organization. I pleaded total ignorance.

Our son, age 6, wanted to know what the uniforms looked like. His elementary school colors are brown and white.....so....I was again at a loss......rainbow colors, I assumed....and then was reminded by this all-too-aware kindergartener that you should never assume, with that infectious "giggle" sense of humor of his.

As I resumed eating winter lunch fare, I thought to myself....and from the look of my spouse of 32 years across the table.....we both chuckled at the thought that it was a band....that the costume and colors would be appropriate.....and that is was not a float with a " narrow cross-section" of our community where the word "appropriate" is both unknown and unusual. LOL

Posted by A B on 12/10/2008 @ 10:02AM PT
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Here on Jan 19, I am already convinced that even though there will be many more than one views of the inauguaration and parade the Gay Band will go by during a very long commercial break. Any one wanna bet?

Posted by Lee Dorsey on 01/19/2009 @ 09:36AM PT
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Michael is the Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, and previously was Communications Director for Pax Christi USA, a progressive Catholic human rights organization.