Last year police estimated that 80,000 people participated in the Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade that has over the last 18 years become a Chicago institution. This year`s parade, which steps off at 2 p.m. Sunday at Halsted and Grace Streets, should draw an even larger crowd of onlookers and marchers, according to Richard Pfeiffer, parade chairman. ”A fun part of our parade is that everyone can join in at the end, and everyone can feel a part of it,”
Pfeiffer says. ”Any time gay people are in the street marching, it`s a statement. The parade is much more than that, though. It has grown into a real Chamber of Commerce kind of thing with non-gay businesses participating as well as gay and lesbian professional groups. . . . Some people have even said that the parade has gotten boring over the years, but I`m glad our diverse background is being reflected in it. People now realize that gay people are not all stereotypes.” The parade, which will proceed down Broadway to Clark Street and Diversey Parkway, will culminate with a rally and music festival in Lincoln Park just south of Diversey. (Pictured here is the Chicago Gay Men`s Chorus at last year`s parade.)
Chicago`s 19th annual Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade; 2 p.m. Sunday;
348-8243.
