Sidewalks fill as cities celebrate gay community

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Associated Press

Story Created: Sun Jun 24, 2012 3:16 PM

Story Updated: Sun Jun 24, 2012 3:16 PM

SAN FRANCISCO — The sidewalks of downtown San Francisco are crowded with colorful revelers as the city marks its 42nd year celebrating the lesbian, gay and transgender community.

The city already has hosted a weekend of events, including a march in the city's Dolores Park and the so-called "Pink Saturday" street party. But the biggest one is Sunday's annual gay pride parade.
Organizers say more than 200 floats, vehicles and marching bands are taking part. The city's mayor, Ed Lee, also will address the crowd at the city's Civic Center.
Organizers say San Francisco's events are the largest LGBT gathering in the nation.
Thousands of attendees are also celebrating in Chicago and New York City, where parade-goers are toasting the state's anniversary of its same-sex marriage law.
 
Thousands attend the Chicago Pride Parade
 
CHICAGO — Many attendees of the Chicago Pride Parade say they believe it's time for Illinois to allow gay marriage.
Large crowds attended Sunday's annual event on the city's North Side.
It comes just weeks after 25 Illinois couples sued for the right to marry. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez have refused to defend the lawsuit, saying the state's gay marriage ban violates the constitution. Gay marriage opponents have said they're strategizing over how to intervene.
Eldridge Shannon of suburban Evanston attended the parade. The bisexual teen says gay marriage is a serious issue and called efforts against gay marriage irrational.
Police say there are no reports of trouble so far. Last year several floats were vandalized before the parade began.