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Flaggots Ohio of Columbus entertained cheering crowds in front of the Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame during the Cleveland Pride parade.
Bottom Photo
"TT" joined other breakdancers in an impromptu Cleveland Pride exhibition
next to the William G. Mather steamship museum. Photos: Eric Resnick
The message of the 16th annual Cleveland Pride parade and festival, held June
19, 2004, is for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders and allies to increase
their consciousness, then take the power to the polls.
A record 10,000 gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender and heterosexual allies attended
on the windy but beautiful day in June. Dick Feagler, Plain Dealer columnist and
television commentator, was the parade’s celebrity grand marshal.
“At first, I thought it was a broom closet,” Feagler told the
Pride rally crowd. “Then it became a walk-in. Now I realize it was a warehouse.
A lot of good people were sealed away, afraid to come out and tell us how they
felt and who they are.”
Joining Feagler as parade marshals were Cleveland Heights city council member
Phyllis Evans, Trans Family founder and Sissy Show creator Kathy Harvey, and political
activist John Farina.
The Mayor of Cleveland made another appearance at Gay Pride and commented,
“We have made great progress when people like Dick Feagler, who find out
they have gay friends, come out of their closets and say so, and the world doesn’t
come to an end,” said Campbell, “He got flak for it, but he also got
love for it.”
Elected officials joining Campbell in celebration of Pride included state senator
and candidate for U.S. Senate Eric Fingerhut, State Reps. Mike Skindell and Dale
Miller, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Bridgette McCafferty, and Cleveland
City Council members Joe Cimperman, Jay Westbrook, and Merle Gordon.
The festival had over 120 vendors including information booths, food and beverages,
t-shirts, a local vet, gay pilots and various religious groups. Entertainment
came from three different stages for over six hours including comedy, music, dance
and poetry. Overall, the event was a great success for all who participated.
In this time of political tension and change, it becomes particularly important
for all of us, gay and straight, to celebrate the diversity and uniqueness of
us all.
