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DURHAM -- North Carolina took some important legislative steps in the past year to advance the rights of gays and lesbians, but more work needs to be done to advance what speakers at this year's 25th N.C. Pride Rally and Parade called the civil rights issue of our time.
"We have lots to celebrate" in the past year, said Sen. Ellie Kinnaird, D-Orange, at a rally on the main quad at Duke University's East Campus. She praised members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community gathered for their advocacy that made certain legislative successes possible. "This is the civil rights issue of today ... that must be decided for our country to become what it is going to be," Kinnaird said.
Kinnaird and Chapel Hill Town Council member Mark Kleinschmidt, who also served as parade marshal, cited an anti-bullying bill that specifically mentions sexual orientation, and a sex education bill that moves away from an abstinence-only curriculum. "We now have a seat at the table, an effective seat at the table," Kleinschmidt said.
More work needs to be done, speakers and organizers said. Keith Hayes, spokesperson for N.C. Pride, said the military's don't-ask-don't-tell policy and laws barring gay marriage were examples of the "huge regulatory prejudice against the LGBT community. ... That's why we have to keep having events like this."
Durham Police Chief Jose Lopez also spoke briefly to the crowd. "I'm going to be very proud to be riding in this parade," Lopez said.
Saturday's event was held under cloudy skies with the threat of rain, which spared the festival and did not dampen the spirits of those who attended. The rainbow balloons, flags and banners contrasted sharply with Saturday's cloudy skies.
Justin Boucher, a student at N.C. State University, was attending his first N.C. Pride parade. "I just like being around an accepting group of people," Boucher said. Julian Arrington, also from N.C. State, was at this second Pride event. "It's nice to have our day for once ... our chance to have a parade and have a show."
And visitors got a show, in addition to speeches and information booths. There were several marching bands in the parade -- the N.C. Pride Marching Band, Cakalak Thunder drum troupe from Greensboro, and Durham's Scene of the Crime Rovers. One parade participant showed his skill with a hoola hoop, and one man on roller skates dressed like a certain religious teacher from ancient Palestine carried a cross. Diverse organizations carried banners or rode floats. Among the churches participating were St. Mark's Episcopal in Raleigh, Watts Street Baptist of Durham, St. Philip's Episcopal of Durham, and Durham Friends Meeting. One group calling itself Raleigh-Durham Atheists Meet-Up participated.
There were numerous signs as well. Among the messages: "Real sex ed saves lives," "Gay rights are human rights" and "marriage is a human right, not a heterosexual privilege."
One group chanted throughout the parade, "Hey, hey, ho, ho, homophobia's got to go."
