(MG) The Billings Gazette reported this story on Sunday, June 17, 2007. I hadn't really thought of Billings, Montana as a hot bed of gay pride -- but I have found acceptance and compassion for openly proud and gay people in blue-collar, biker country in Lake and McHenry counties in north eastern Illinois. It is easy to get all worked up over abstractions, but when the focus gets smaller, and it comes down to kind, decent, generous, caring HUMAN BEINGS you know, kind, decent, generous, caring HUMAN BEINGS you interact with on an every day basis -- it becomes much more difficult, because the hatred is no longer focused on an abstraction, but, on a real, live, breathing, kind, decent, generous, caring HUMAN BEING.
This article gives me hope for the human condition.
This article gives me hope for the human condition.
Peaceful and proud: Gay parade goes on
For all practical purposes, it was a regular parade through Billings.
A color guard led the group, the grand marshals sat in a convertible, people handed out candy, and the Al Bedoo Shrine brass band played "Montana." There was laughter, waves and cheering from the kids in strollers, families and couples who lined the sidewalk.
The Pride Celebration 2007 parade stretched about eight blocks through downtown Billings on Saturday morning. The three-day celebration is hosted by the Montana Pride Network with the theme "From silence to celebration!"
Parade organizer Mary Horvath estimated that 500 people joined the parade. The parade had dozens of entries, including groups and businesses, and a bunch of people joined in along the way.
Roars from crowd could be heard along the final blocks of the parade route on Second Avenue North as spectators responded to the Montana Pride Network chanting "Two. Four. Six. Eight. Let's Celebrate!"
With sparkling green fake eyelashes, and wearing a monochrome purple outfit of a glittering blouse over a fluffy tutu and fishnet stockings, C.C. Deveroux was likely the most flamboyant parade entry.
It was Deveroux's first Pride parade and, as the tiara suggested, part of Deveroux's reign as Miss Gay Missoula 17, a title crowned in March.
"I'm really impressed with the turnout," Deveroux said. "Everybody was happy to see us. I'd wave and they'd all wave and have a big smile. It was a good experience."
Longtime Billings volunteer and humanitarian Margaret Ping marched with her church, Mayflower Congregational. Ping wore one of the rainbow-striped "Celebrate Diversity" pins handed out during the parade and said she "walked as long as my knee held out."
People of faith had a place in the parade, she said.
"We preach we believe in everybody being children of God," Ping said. "I'm amazed this many people are out, and I'm amazed I haven't heard anybody booing the parade."
Billings Police Department had its regular parade contingent - a patrol car leading the parade with others stopping traffic and officers on bicycles weaving through the route. Police Lt. John Bedford said there were no disruptions or confrontations during the parade.
The parade converged on the Yellowstone County Courthouse lawn for a rally.
Darryl Olson, who is on the Montana Pride Network's organizing committee for the celebration, was master of ceremonies at the rally. Wearing his Army fatigues, Olson said how proud he was to join the color guard in the parade.
"That's a message we need to get out there, that there are gay veterans who have served honorably," he said to a round of applause.
Olson also lauded Mayor Ron Tussing, who signed a proclamation supporting equal rights and inclusiveness for the Pride Celebration.
Among the speakers were Montana Sen. Christine Kaufmann, D-Helena, and Candace Gingrich from the Human Rights Campaign. The women, both gay, were also the grand marshals for the parade. Kaufmann is executive director of the Montana Human Rights Network. Gingrich's brother, former congressman Newt Gingrich, was speaker of the House from 1994 to 1998.
Kaufmann encouraged the group to welcome other often-disenfranchised groups, including immigrants. She also reminded them of legislation and votes around the nation that are leading to more equal rights and the elections of openly gay people. Kaufmann punctuated her speech by proclaiming that Montana could be next.
Gingrich, from Washington, D.C., said that in a dozen years of taking part in Pride parades, she hadn't seen Shriners join in until she came to Billings.
"That's a testament to all of you, that they would want to be part of this," she said.
Pride events are reunions with friends and family and, yes, a chance to party, Gingrich said. Those emotions of inclusiveness should be evoked 365 days a year, she said.
"For some people, Pride means the only time of the year they can get to be out and open and feel safe," Gingrich said.
She asked people to encourage legislators - especially senators, who are holding an upcoming vote - to pass the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007, which would include sexual orientation and gender identification in the definition of hate crimes.
The new law wouldn't keep people from preaching or thinking what they believe, she said.
"But you can't hate someone and hurt them," Gingrich said. "We deserve to be protected the same as every other American in this country."
Gingrich said GLBT people are in Montana because they love the state.
"Stay proud," Gingrich said. "This is the Treasure State, and GLBT and two-spirited people are part of that treasure."
The celebration moved to North Park for the afternoon. Vendors, most with information and many with items for sale, filled a section of the park; Gay Bingo was played in the community center and kickball was played on the baseball fields. People lounged on the grass and took in a variety of live music and entertainment, including singing, drumming and dancing from the American Indian Two Spirit Society of Denver and Montana.
Events Saturday night included disco bowling, a play at Venture Theatre and a drag show at the Loft.
Today's events begin with spiritual services at 9 a.m. conducted by Seekers Harbor Faith Community at North Park, followed by a farewell breakfast in the park. The Montana Pride Network will hold its annual meeting at 11 a.m. Events wrap up with an afternoon tea dance at The Loft, 1123 First Ave. N.
