Transgender activist and entrepreneur Angelica Ross led an informal "mass wedding" June 25 as part of several Pride-related activities that day at Chicago's Navy Pier
All on the pier were invited to join in the ceremony, so couples could commit to their love for one another, or individuals could commit to their love of themselves. Ross was flanked in the ceremony by members of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
Ross, a former Chicagoan who now lives in Los Angeles, just became an ordained ministerthis was her first wedding ceremonyand said she "might make a career out of marrying folks."
"I've known many in our community to be very spiritually-based," said Ross. "But a lot of LGBTQ people were not ushered into spaces of divinity. …I'm at that stage where I'm ready to commit to, every Sunday, protesting for peace at the outsider churches, to bring them to their knees, literally. Either they have to get on board, with recognizing the divinity in all people, or they are not fit to lead them."
Among the other activities that day were a parade on the pier led by members of the Lakeside Pride Freedom Band and a performance by Milly's Orchid Show.
Additionally, 15 panels from the National AIDS Quilt were displayed, among them panels dedicated to various Chicagoans and Chicago organizations, including activist Danny Sotomayor and Chicago House.