march a month after he directed state agencies to provide full marriage benefits to same-sex couples who were legally married elsewhere."What he did ... sends a message that leadership isn't about waiting. It's about finding the opportunity. It's about finding the way to move progress and civil rights forward," said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the city's most powerful openly gay elected official.Tens of thousands of gay people and their supporters marched down Manhattan's Fifth Avenue in the always colorful celebration, which is officially called the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride March. A violent thunderstorm halfway through did not halt the parade.There were floats, marching bands, stilt walkers, motorcycle riders and bicycle riders wearing T-shirts that said "bike-sexual."
"I think it's sensational," said Dolores Stoia, who watched from behind police barricades. "I'm not really a big fan of parades, but it's very entertaining."
"I think it's sensational," said Dolores Stoia, who watched from behind police barricades. "I'm not really a big fan of parades, but it's very entertaining."
Paterson, the first New York governor to march in the gay pride parade, took part even though he had surgery to remove a cataract on Saturday."The doctors told me I couldn't march today," he said. "I ran 8 1/2 miles Friday. I can march today. And I will."
Even though gay couples cannot legally marry in New York, Paterson said last month that the state must recognize marriages legally performed in other states and countries that allow gay marriage.
AP article by KAREN MATTHEWS -- June 30, 2008
Image of City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Gov. Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg at the 39th Annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride March along Fifth Ave. in Manhattan Sunday. Credits: Mariela Lombard Published: 06/29/2008 20:31:59
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