The nation’s seventh largest LGBT Pride parade kicked off at 11am from University Avenue and Normal Street this morning.
The parade traveled west to Sixth Avenue, then south to Upas. People began lining the streets early on the cool gray Saturday.
As a surprise to the crowd, Dykes on Bikes stopped their motorcycles to hand out letters of protest toward Pride executive Director Ron deHarte who replaced their traditional place of honor leading the annual procession to an upsetting fourth slot, as well as adding a list of other requirements. DeHarte began this year’s parade with “marchers for those who can’t” to remind us all of the oppression and atrocities of gays around the world, followed by activist Peter Tatchell and two Metropolitan Police “pace cars.” A two-day festival is underway in Balboa Park.
