Local News: Mecklenburg Passes Discrimination Ordinance, p.4 Opinion: Black Pride Invisible and Undervalued p.18
HWttWC X. LOTHPCP AWARD Rx?
I 0W3TAHD/N6 REFERENCE SERVICES IS SHARED
(, syTVR} snxwrrs this ytw. (Hotesta.-i.
May 27, 2005
Columbia Hosts SC’s Largest Gay Pride Rally
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Ginger and
Mac McClure seize every chance they
get to talk about gay rights.
"We have a gay son and we hope we
can provide some support for equal
rights," said Ginger McClure, 64, a
retired statistician who was among
hundreds gathered for the 14th South
Carolina Pride Celebration on Saturday,
May 21 at a downtown park.
The Columbia couple said there has
been progress in the state but they have
noticed less acceptance of gays and les
bians since the terrorist attacks in 2001.
"The more fear, the more people are
afraid of people who are different than
them," said Mac McClure, 62, a retired
psychology professor.
The Pride Parade kicked off at
Memorial Park at noon. The parade
made its way to Gervais Street and then
through the Vista to Main. Passing the
State House, the parade proceeded up
Main Street to Taylor and then over to
Finlay Park, where the Pride
Celebration was held.
Organizers said they took the annual
event away from the steps of the
Statehouse this year to focus on the
community instead of soliciting law
makers for support.
"It's about us, it's not about them,"
said Ed Madden, president of the South
Carolina Gay and Lesbian Pride
Movement.
But the rally still had a political agen
da. Madden urged the community to
work against efforts banning same-sex
marriage in South Carolina.
"That legislation hurts families, it
hurts kids," said Madden, adding the
state among the top five in the percent
Photo above left, bottom right Jay Gross, above right Radar Williams, bottom left Jim Griggers
age of same-sex couples raising chil- _
dren.
The General Assembly has agreed to
send the issue to voters in November
2006 whether to change the South
Carolina Constitution to say "marriage
between one man and one woman is
the only lawful domestic union that
shall be valid or recognized in this
State."
State law already bars same-sex
unions, but supporters say a constitu
tional ban is needed because a single
judge's ruling could trump the law and
force South Carolina to recognize same
sex unions from other states.
"I disagree with what they're doing,
especially to get a constitutional
amendment to deny the rights of
Americans," Ginger McClure said.
Madden said he was not surprised by
die anti-gay attitude in the Statehouse.
'1 think it was inevitable," Madden
said. "Anytime there is progress, there is
a backlash."
Beautiful Day for a Parade
Even so, "this was one of the best
Prides yet," Madden said. "After rain all
day Friday and cold cloudy skies
Saturday morning, the sun came out
right as the parade entered the park for
the festival —and the rainbow came out!
"We had over 40 vendors, great enter
tainment, and the perfect mix of poli
tics, community building, and fun."
"We were pleased to be able to offer
an outdoor mall, a photography exhibit
celebrating our older LGBT activists, a
great line up of films, and WMMHHI
offering of talent and speakers on our
main stage," added Bert Easter, past
president of SCGLPM.
Among the many events planned
around SC Pride 2005 were a film festi
val at the Nickelodeon Theatre, the
Pride Parade, a community picnic on
May 22, a special Center workshop on
May 23, and the always popular Ms
and Mr SC Pride Pageant.
Qub diva Debby Holiday and art
rocker Rachel Sage were among the
performers, and nationally known
activist and author Wayne Besen was
the featured speaker.
"We have just learned that our head
continued on page 8
! ORii'V 1
'’ * »l t,\
j C GAY & LESB1
PRIDE MOVEME
Want to share? Need a hug? Email The Wont Page at fmtpage@aol.com