Gay Vets Love a Parade

photo: averny.tripod.com


A friend shared a copy of the letter sent around by Sgt. Denny Meyer, head of the New York chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER), a GLBT veterans association. Meyer shares his reactions about marching in the NYC Veterans Day Parade last week.

My pal, who is part of the fabulous Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corps and marched with the vets, told me that Cardinal Edward Eagen and a priest were sitting on chairs curbside in front of St. Patrick's as the parade passed by. "The two stood and clapped as we marched playing 'Rock the Boat.'  (The front of St. Patrick's is usually a ghost town during Pride parades, blocked off to prevent protests) -- so it's a first for us!"

Here's what Sgt. Denny had to say:

To: AVER Chapter Presidents' list:

I am so grateful and proud to have again had the opportunity this year to organize and lead our contingent in the NYC Veterans Day Parade.

This year, with a block long contingent, we knocked their socks off with visibility.  Our lead marcher, in full dress-blue Navy uniform, was Petty Officer First Class Rhonda Davis (honorably discharged for homosexuality this past summer) carrying the American Flag. Behind her was a 92 year old WWII Vet Major Willet Fields who insisted on walking the entire parade, bless him. Behind him, I waved the Rainbow Flag from side to side in front of the AVER-NY banner and vets. And then came the band: The Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corps -60 strong stretching down an entire city block- with dancers, baton tossers, Rainbow Color Guard, and band playing Americana. The band is dressed in white with cowboy hats and bright Rainbow sashes. Oh My!

As we passed the reviewing stand, at 42nd Street near Times Square, where the homophobic United War Veterans Council organizer was at the microphone announcing groups, my heart nearly jumped out of my chest hearing him say: American Veterans For Equal Rights and the Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corps!

It didn't happen by accident of course; it took a whole year of work, massive complaints to the Mayor's Office about the bigoted attempt to pull us out ofthe parade last year, and paranoid vigilance against them pulling the same dirty trick this year. I got the Mayor's staff verynervous, so this year we marched without a word of harassment. Last year, we had about 20 marchers but the bigotry provoked me; hence this year's block-long very visible and sparkling contingent.

Hugs,

Sgt Denny

See more photos from the parade:


photo: averny.tripod.com