Gay Pride in Birmingham, Good-bye Isaiah

June is generally recognized as Gay Pride month, although some communities celebrate pride at different times to accommodate local events or to avoid conflicts. June was chosen because it was on June 28, 1969 that police raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular gathering spot for gays, in Greenwich Village, and gays, drag queens and others fought back for the first time. The modern movement for equality was born.

In Birmingham gay pride has been celebrated for years, as Birmingham’s first organized PRIDE celebration was held in 1979, and the first parade was in 1989. We’ve come a long way, baby.

A few years ago we had a friend from San Francisco visiting, and took him to the PRIDE parade. He couldn’t believe that in Birmingham, Alabama we had such a celebration, with so many participating, and so many spectating, and was really amazed that so many straight couples and families were present. They were just out to have a good time, as Birmingham’s parade is a Mardi Gras style parade in good taste where candy and moon pies and trinkets and beads are tossed to the crowd.

This year, Patricia Todd will be the Grand Marshal of the parade, set for Saturday June 9 around Five Points South, beginning at 8:30. Line up begins at 6:30.

Also on Saturday is "Language Matters," a discussion sponsored by Equality Alabama at Avondale Library at 10:30 AM, which will explore how anit-gay forces use language against the GLBT community, and how to counteract them. Everyone is welcome.

On Sunday, at Sloss Furnace, the celebration continues with entertainment, children’s area, informational booths and vendors, from noon to 10 or so.

Come to these events to see friends, support equality, learn that you are not alone, be entertained, have fun, or become informed. GLBT or straight, there is something for everyone at these events.

In a sort of related matter, Isaiah Washington has been dropped from the Grey’s Anatomy line up. Goodbye Dr. Burke