I was proud to march with a group of about a dozen New York Quakers in the Gay Pride Parade yesterday in Manhattan, along with hundreds of other groups and tens of thousands of onlookers. It was a glorious, if hot, day in the city, and everyone seemed to be in good spirits.
Local Quakers have been marching in the Pride Parade for the entire history of the parade, starting in 1970. And our presence was really dramatic this year (for Quakers, anyway), with a car festooned with signs, multiple banners, and matching tee-shirts for all the marchers!
There's nothing like marching with your fellow Quakers and having thousands of people shout out "Quakers! We love you, Quakers!" The last few blocks on Christopher street, with the crowds of people pressing around us and cheering was so powerful and moving for me and the rest of us.
Thanks to Edd, Helen, and the rest of the organizers for getting together the Quaker contingent in the parade! It's never easy organizing such an independent minded lot like us.