Posted on 06/30/2002 6:12:30 AM PDT by chance33_98
Huge Gay Pride Parade Set For San Francisco Sunday 1 Million People Expected To Attend
POSTED: 11:51 a.m. PDT June 29, 2002
SAN FRANCISCO -- A million people are expected to squeeze into San Francisco Sunday for the annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Parade.
The procession gets under way at 10:30 a.m. at Market and Beale, led as usual by the San Francisco Women's Motorcycle Contingent, popularly known as Dykes on Bikes.
Sir Ian McKellen, who starred in "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" and "Gods and Monsters," and actress Sharon Gless will serve as celebrity grand marshals in Sunday's parade.
McKellen says he wants to ride in a pink Cadillac.
Gless, best known for the '80s TV police drama "Cagney & Lacey," has a regular role as the mother of a gay man on the Showtime cable television series "Queer as Folk."
McKellen, 63, says he's comfortable as an openly gay actor.
"You don't always have to say things to have an impact," he told the San Francisco Chronicle. "Apparently the sight of me and my boyfriend holding hands at the Oscars quite caught people's eye. In regard to its impact, it was thought to be almost as good as an openly gay man getting an Oscar."
Sorry, just had to get that off my chest.
Whoever's got the diaper concession at that one stands to make a fortune.
It's called a traffic jam Monday through Friday in San Francisco.
Million expected at parade
By JENNIFER BILL -- Toronto Sun
For those hunting for fun today, Church St. will be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
With a loud and proud bang, the much anticipated 22nd annual Pride parade will climax week-long celebrations by Toronto's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities, with an elaborate show that will feature flashy, feathered and leathered garb.
One million people are expected to join in the festivities.
With the 2002 theme "Uncensored" encouraging everyone to express their freedom and rights, parade-watchers should see quite a show.
Drag queens, musclemen and paraders in exotic costumes -- and lack of costumes -- will march down Yonge St., challenging the crowds to their annual giant water fight.
FUN UNTIL WEE HOURS
The parade begins at Bloor and Church Sts., at 2 p.m. and heads south on Yonge, ending at Dundas St. near Church.
Revellers can continue the party into the wee hours at seven Church St. and Wellesley Ave. bars that have been granted extended liquor hours to 4 a.m. this weekend.
From 1971's first gay picnic at Hanlan's Point, Toronto Pride Week has become one of the three largest Pride events in the world, rivalled only by those in New York City and Sydney, Australia.
Temperatures are expected to climb to 32C today, with high smog and humidity levels possible.
Or hit 'em with about a 9.2 riechter to get there attention.
What truly offends me about these events is the way the media so carefully and studiously covers up for them. The average person hasn't a clue. One more reason to despise the media.
Alternate headline: 279 Million Americans to Boycott Gay Parade
Startin' to get the picture ?
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