Pride parade a show of hope

A rainbow tide washed over downtown Spokane on Saturday as the city experienced its largest and grandest gay pride parade in history.

For the first time since the event became an annual gathering 14 years ago, the procession included elaborate floats and convertibles that circled a half-mile-long route right in the heart of downtown.

It was perhaps no different from all the other parades in Spokane – music boomed, people danced, candy fell from the sky.

But for the hundreds who marched or cheered along the sidewalks, Saturday’s OutSpokane Pride Parade and Rainbow Festival was more than just a celebration. It also was a sign of the growing tolerance in Spokane, people said, and an expression of hope that the community will continue to accept and even support the rights of lesbians and gays.

“We’re standing here without a lot of fear,” said Jan Reed of Spokane, who participated in the event for the first time along with her 1-year-old twins.

Although gays, lesbians, the transgendered and others in the Inland Northwest still experience discrimination, many now feel safe being out of the closet, said Mike Fischer, who attended the event with Kurt Schmierer, his partner of seven years. Although it happens only once a year, the annual gathering helps people realize that Spokane does indeed have a significant and thriving gay community, he said.

While the parade featured three or four drag queens attired in dresses or stunning evening gowns, most of the participants were teens from the Odyssey Youth Group, middle-age folks and families – moms and dads, moms and moms, dads and dads – pushing strollers or holding their children’s hands.

A few waved signs with messages like “How does my marriage affect you?” or “I love my lesbian daughter.”

“It’s funny that people have all sorts of stereotypes about gays,” said Schmierer. “The truth is, we’re just like everyone else.”

The parade also included its share of heterosexuals. Robert Howard carried a sign that said, “I’m straight, not narrow.” He decided to march for the first time this year to show his support. “We’re all created equal,” he said.

Several factors likely contributed to the large turnout at Saturday’s event, organizers said. Part of it was the planning, they said, but recent events – including the momentum behind the creation of a gay district in Spokane, a nationwide movement to legalize gay marriage, and perhaps the recent “outing” of Spokane Mayor Jim West – also played a part.

Marching to the blare of pop music and the flutter of rainbow flags, Jenn Hollingsworth and her partner, Kathy Coster, held hands as they pushed their 21-month-old son, Max, in a stroller.

Gay marriage is banned in Washington state, but the couple hope to help change that someday. Hollingsworth proposed to Coster a week ago during a cruise on Lake Coeur d’Alene. And although they plan to have a commitment ceremony, they also want the rest of the world to recognize their relationship – not just for the principle, but also for practical reasons that include health insurance and survivorship issues. The couple now wear matching gold bands with the words “Will you complete me?” engraved on the inside.

“We have a loving family,” said Coster.

Marriage and family also remained on the minds of many couples at the Rainbow Festival at Riverfront Park. Those with kids spent part of the afternoon at the festival’s play area, which included games and bouncy castles. Just like many people who have settled down in the Inland Northwest, many in the gay community also are very family-oriented, said Marvin Reguindin, owner of a local graphic design business and a member of the Inland Northwest Business Alliance.

About two dozen couples also took the opportunity to exchange wedding vows during a ceremony led by the Rev. Dr. Richard Erhardt, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane.

“This is a ceremony of love,” said Erhardt, “… and a ceremony of civil disobedience.” Jesus not only told his followers to love one another, he said, but also to speak out against injustice. “It is our hope that one day, all true love partners will be legally recognized and affirmed,” Erhardt said.

While pledging their love to each other and promising to remain together despite whatever adversity they encounter, some of the couples exchanged rings.

“It is my joy and privilege to pronounce you partners in life,” Erhardt said.

The couples kissed, and the crowd erupted in applause.