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This year’s Lexington nearly as exciting because of the
Independence Day Parade was rather lack of an audience there.
special. This year’s parade proudly The idea for joining the 4th
included the first contingent of of July parade began at a June GLSO
lesbigay people. At the start of the Forum at the New Morning Coffeehouse
parade, the group dubbed “Fairness when individuals met to decide on a
on the Fourth” contained 88 people. re8ponse to a then expected July 2
With leathermen, people living with judgement by the Kentucky Supreme
HIV, lesbian mothers, strayt Court on the sodomy issue. This
supporters, students, hairdressers, decision is now expected in the
bisexuals, people of color, and gay Fall. Headed by the organizational
children with their parents, the skills of Brad G-, donation of use
group showed the diversity of our of flags by the Bluegrass COLTS and
community. Not only was this enlistment of marchers from the area
contingent the largest one in the commenced. The COLTS and Hey Good
parade, it was undoubtedly one of the Cookin’ Deli together paid the
most colorful with the rainbow gay registration fees for the marchers.
flag, the black and blue leathermen’s Brad G. stated that the mayor’s
flag and the 01’ stars and stripes office and city government were very
heading up the group. supportive and pleased by our

Along the route and especially the inclusion in the parade.

enthusiastic crowd in front of the Parade judges have tOld members of
Bar Complex, dozens of people joined our community off the record that the
the marchers as they chanted and contingent would have won the award
waved their way through the packed for the best marching group.
streets of downtown Lexington. 153 Unfortunately, duringaplannedmoment
people were counted as being in the Of Silence in front of the judge’s
parade at its end. Aside from some stand to honor People With HIV, an
insults, a tennis ball, a wine glass, apparently. intoxicated, unknown man
anda beer can thrown at the marchers, who had JOlned the parade along the
observers andmarchers alike commented ¥OUte insulted the mayor and other
on the generally supportive onlookers. JUdges' Also unfortunate was the
Several marchers stated that the iomplete laCkafh coverage by tfie
parade was the most empowering focat plress 5 Walt algourclits to the
experience of their lives. Visitors 1rs ex1ng on ay r1 e marc '
from Louisville commented that the S‘Elll’ overall the parade was amajor

. . . Sign of the increased awareness and
Louisv1lle March for Justice was not pride our community has in itself.