The fight to legalize gay marriage was on the minds of many attendees at this year's Gay Pride Parade in Queens, held June 5 along 37th Avenue in Jackson Heights.
"This year, the struggle is about gay marriage, and we're almost there," said City Councilmember Daniel Dromm, who is openly gay. "When I started this parade 19 years ago, I never imagined it would grow to this size and be so diverse and have such festive performances."
Fewer traditional Latin American dance groups performed this year compared to last, but many gay nightclubs were represented. On a float for the Men's Lounge on 86th Street, Gilber Fuentes exposed his chest and stomach, while alongside Fuentes, Eli Laba showed off the tattoo on his backside.
Delegations from other nightclubs also marched, like Lucha's Place, Music Box Bar and Mr. Latino, which will open in October of this year. Víctor Franco carried a banner.
The sounds coming from the Sonido el Internacional Ilusión truck, driven by Tico and Manuel, were deafening. Behind it, a man decked out in feathers and brandishing a sword attracted the attention of everyone watching the parade.
Also present were delegations from the New York Fire Department, True Colors of the Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club of Queens, the AIDS Center of Queens, American Veterans for Equality Rights, Queens Community Housing, Caribbean Spotlight, Cheer New York, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Queens, the New York Bear Den, Dykes on Bicycles, and Las Buenas Amigas.
Laura Cohen, of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Queens, spoke of her support for gay marriage.
"I support gays and lesbians and their right to marry," she said.
Karina González, who attended the parade with her husband Miguel Muñoz and their two children, Brando Guamán, 10, and Alison Muñoz, 3, said that they enjoyed the event very much and they always showed up to support their friends that marched in the parade.
"I also support gay marriage. I don't see it as a problem," said González.
The Rev. Denis Coutre of Saints Sergius and Bacchus Catholic Apostolic Church in Jackson Heights sat behind a table displaying information and images of Jesus in favor of gay marriage.
"Everyone is welcome in our church, there is no discrimination," said Coutre, whose gay-friendly church holds its services at Community Methodist Church on 35th Avenue near 81st Street.
Political leaders were prominent among the marchers along the parade route. Besides Dromm, other openly gay politicians marched as well, including Councilmembers Rosie Méndez, Jimmy Van Bramer and Christine Quinn, and State Sen. Tom Duane.
"We are fighting alongside Gov. Andrew Cuomo to legalize gay marriage, but we need the Republican vote. We already came out of the closet. Now it's their turn to come out of the closet in favor of gay marriage," said Duane.
Next to Duane marched Assemblymember Francisco Moya, who said, "We will not lose the battle for gay marriage. As a new assembly member, that will be the vote I will feel most proud of."
Next to Moya marched state Sen. José Peralta, who also expressed his support for gay marriage and waved a rainbow flag.
Councilmember Melissa Mark-Viverito also marched, as well as the Queens borough president, Helen Marshall, who said that in the United States, every one has the right to marry whomever they want, "without regard to sex…that's somebody else's problem."
Assemblymember David Weprin also marched in support of gay marriage, as well as State Sen. Tony Avella, who despite not being gay, was appointed grand marshal for the parade. At the end of the parade, his fellow state senator, Duane, announced to the crowd, "The pink ribbon of the grand marshal fits Tony very well."
