Photo spread #1 by Tim Carroll here: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/photospreadthumbs.php .
Photo spread #2 by Tracy Baim here: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/photospreadthumbs.php .
Photo spread #3 by Kate Sosin here: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/photospreadthumbs.php .
Photo spread #4 by Ed Negron here: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/photospreadthumbs.php .
Photo spread #5 by Steve R. here: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/photospreadthumbs.php .
Chicago's 44th Annual Pride Parade kicked off June 30 under sunny skies and mild temperatures, with a heavy focus on bringing marriage equality to Illinois.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel led the parade, with Gov. Pat Quinn following later in the parade.
Serving as grand marshal was former NFL player Wade Davis, who was followed by Members of the NFL Players Association.
Hundreds of thousands lined the route in Uptown and Lakeview, in what appeared to be a relatively safe event.
According to Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Daniel O'Brien, more than one million attended the parade.
Pfeiffer said that overall, he felt the parade was a success.
"I think it went very well," said Pfeiffer. "It was a balance of the social and political."
Spirits were high just days after the U.S. Supreme Court effectively struck down the Defense of Marriage Act and California's ban on same-sex marriage. But many contingents focused on equal marriage in Illinois, where the Illinois House failed to vote the issue in May.
The marriage shortfall sparked backlash against out gay representatives and other sponsors and prompted a petition calling for their removal from the parade.
Rep. Greg Harris, chief sponsor of the legislation, gathered a large contingent of politicians and marched without incident. Accompanied by hundreds of marchers, the group sported shirts that read, "I'm a yes for marriage equality."
Elected officials in that group included Reps. Deb Mell, Kelly Cassidy, Lou Lang and Sara Feigenholtz. State Sens. Daniel Biss and Mike Frerichs were also present.
They marched in close proximity to Illinois Unites for Marriage, the coalition of groups organizing for equal marriage. Coalition organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, Lambda Legal, Equality Illinois and The Civil Rights Agenda were also represented, in a massive show of support for equal marriage.
But many of those not working on marriage also displayed Illinois Unites for Marriage signs throughout the parade.
Religious representation was also high in the parade, with dozens of churches and faiths represented in a contingent that stretch over two blocks in lengths.
Other favorite entries included Asians & Friends of Chicago, whose "Gayflower" boat was topped by a person dressed entirely in popcorn; a large race car-themed float by Sidetrack bar; Windy City Cowboys; a shiny silver and pink float by The Baton Show Lounge; a huge and colorful entry by Balloons by Tommy; and the American Veterans for Equal Rights large American flag, among others.
Anti-gay protesters appeared to be small in numbers, and spectators largely drowned them out with cheers for the parade.
Pfeiffer said that major incidents had not been reported. Ambulances were called for people suffering alcohol poisoning and heat exhaustion along the route. At least one fight broke out at Oakdale and Broadway. Crowd control was required at Clark and Halsted.
According to police, the day saw 52 arrests, with 50 misdemeanors and two felonies. Details on the felonies were not immediately available.
Elected officials included Ill. Lte. Gov. Sheila Simon, Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka; Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, State's Attorney Anita Alvarez, Treasurer Maria Pappas, Commissioners Jesus Garcia and Jeff Tobolski, Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown; U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin; U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley, Robin Kelly and Jan Schakowsky; Alds. Tom Tunney, James Cappleman, Bob Fioretti, Scott Waguespack, John Arena, Danny Solis, Joe Moreno; the Alliance of Illinois Judges, lesbian and gay judges including Judge Nancy Katz. Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy also participated, rising in front of the Gay Officers Action League contingent. A spokesperson for Attorney General Lisa Madigan said that she also marched.
Videos by Tracy Baim:
Pride Parade Chicago 2013 Nettelhorst School, Vernita Gray
Chicago Pride Parade veterans carry American flag, 6-30-2013
Chicago Pride Parade - Veterans, GLASS, Lake View High School, 6-30-2013
Chicago Pride Parade-Toni Preckwinkle, Dorothy Brown, Gov. Quinn
Chicago Pride Parade-Rep. Quigley, Ald. Tunney, Sen. Dick Durbin
Chicago Pride Parade June 30, 2013—Lakeside Pride Band
Chicago Pride Parade June 30, 2013—LGBT Police
Chicago Pride Parade June 30, 2013—Dykes on Bikes, Balloons by Tommy
Chicago Pride Parade June 30, 2013—Capital Pride band from Ohio
Chicago Pride Parade June 30, 2013—Organized Chaos Motorcycle
Chicago Pride Parade June 30, 2013—Baton, Chamber, Lakeview
Chicago Pride Parade June 30, 2013—PFLAG and Religious groups
Chicago Pride Parade June 30, 2013—Baton, Chamber, Lakeview
Chicago Pride Parade June 30, 2013—PFLAG and Religious groups
Chicago Pride Parade June 30, 2013—Religious, Asians & Friends and more
Chicago Pride Parade June 30, 2013—Marriage groups, Rep, Schakowsky, CBGMC
Chicago Pride Parade June 30, 2013—Bozo, Vida Sida, Anita Alvarez
Chicago Pride Parade June 30, 2013—Folia Brazil and Ride for AIDS
Chicago Pride Parade June 30, 2013—Sidetrack, Unite Here, NOW
Chicago Pride Parade June 30, 2013—Rep. Mell, Sheila Simon, Robin Kelly
Chicago Pride Parade June 30, 2013—ROTC, Orbitz Chicago Pride Parade June 30, 2013—ACLU, hockey, Rep. Greg Harris
Chicago Pride Parade June 30, 2013—Rainbow Flag, pilots and airlines and Bulls
Chicago Pride Parade June 30, 2013—Windy City Cowboys and Antronios
Chicago Pride Parade June 30, 2013—Filipino and Athletic groups, plus more
Chicago Pride Parade June 30, 2013—Trikone, Gender Society, Puppies, PepsiCo
Chicago Pride 2013—Mary's, Charlie's, Chgo Spirit Brigade and more
Chicago Pride 2013—GLN and Bradley Manning banner
Chicago Pride 2013—Heartland Alliance, Hideaway, ComEd
Chicago Pride 2013—Mary's, Charlie's, Chgo Spirit Brigade and more
Chicago Pride 2013—GLN and Bradley Manning banner
Chicago Pride 2013—Heartland Alliance, Hideaway, ComEd
Chicago Pride 2013—Miss Foozie, PAWS, AT&T, Threadless
Chicago Pride 2013—SGI Buddhists, Walgreens, Local881
Chicago Pride 2013—Touche Leathermen, JoJo Baby with Berlin and more
