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Sunday, June 14, 2009
Pride Parade Draws 20,000
FOR THE RECORD: Gilbert Baker's name has been corrected in this story.By Maggie Ybarra
Journal Staff Writer
Jill Gatwood is a married and proud, 54-year-old biker babe.
But on Saturday, she dressed herself in vibrant colors, tied multicolored streamers and flowers to her motorcycle and cruised down Central Avenue.
She did it in defiance of stereotypes and labels, to defend the constitutional rights of others and for her best friend, who is gay.
"I do it to support the community, and I don't care if people think I'm gay or straight," Gatwood said during the 32nd annual Albuquerque Pride Parade, which drew about 20,000.
Gatwood and Jacqui Lewnes met each other a few years ago during a motorcycle ride. Throughout the parade, the two women rode side-by-side along with 23 other motorcyclists.
They drove past Nob Hill shoppers and upscale diners. They passed parade-watchers and a handful of anti-gay protesters at the corner of San Pedro and Central.
Heavily decorated floats careened through a melee comprised of AIDS awareness walkers, feather-boa wearing cyclists, and cars with crepe paper taped to the windows and bumpers. Almost every person wore a mixture of rainbow colors to represent the connection they felt to one another.
Gilbert Baker — who created the rainbow pride flag in 1978 — participated in the parade as grand marshal. He said the diverse colors of the flag represent the diverse gay community.
"A rainbow is a beautiful symbol from nature," Baker said. "It's one of the most wonderful things, and we're beautiful, too. So, it really fits us."
Pride Parade participants ended their tour of the city at the State Fairgrounds, where some entered their dogs in the pet parade, displayed their art or showcased their baking skills.
Gatwood said the annual Pride Parade is one of the few outlets gay and transgender people have for expressing themselves.
"It's about people being themselves and being able to be accepted out in public and out in the community," she said.
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