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New York City 2001 Gay Pride Parade
| It was less than three months before the unknowing and horrific September 11th, 2001, attacks (that's two) on New York City, that N.Y.C. Mayor Rudy Giuliani hosted his "8th Annual Gay Pride Celebration" at Gracie Mansion in Manhattan, New York. It was held on Thursday, June 21, 2001, and for the first time, at the perennial urging of S.V.A. President Williamson Henderson, and a few others, it was held not as an early morning breakfast but as an evening cocktail party. On Sunday, June 24, 2001, Mayor Rudy Giuliani -- and his new and unusual political buddy, Michael R. Bloomberg, successor Republican candidate for N.Y.C. Mayor -- joined the STONEWALL Veterans' Association ("S.V.A.") and the 1969 blue Cadillac "Stonewall Car" in leading the annual New York City Gay Pride Parade down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. Of course, Rudy's office called to get the green light that the S.V.A. would have this highly successful media magnate Mr. Bloomberg, who we didn't know personally but only knew of, also as our guest. His communications director made it clear that the Mayor was asking this favor and that he hoped that the S.V.A. -- of which he was and is an Honorary Member -- trusted his judgment in this as we have in other matters. Guess what? In fact, Mayor Rudy personally introduced mayoral candidate Michael to the S.V.A. President Williamson and other S.V.A. officers. Williamson and Michael Bloomberg hit it off immediately regarding "Stonewall" right in the middle of the Fifth Avenue! Right was Rudy!! After all was said and done -- and plenty was done and said -- after being endorsed by and promoted by Rudy, media magnate Michael became N.Y.C. Mayor!
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