Local News

Thousands Attend Annual Gay Pride Parade

Theme of March Was "Live, Love, Be Proud"

CHICAGO (CBS) ― Today hundreds of thousands of people gathered for the 39th Chicago Pride Parade. But this year is different than the decades before since same-sex marriage is now legal in California, as CBS 2's Mike Puccinelli reports.

The 39th Annual Gay Pride parade had them hanging out of buildings and in some cases out of outfits as massive crowds gathered on and around Halsted to show they're loud and proud about being out in Chicago.

The weather was iffy, but Fi Fi DePraved didn't seem to concerned about leaving her cake out in the rain because she was more concerned about keeping it on her head.

"I can't bend over. I can't look up. I can't bend down. As long as I look straight ahead I'm good," she said.

Some in attendance did not think the idea of the parade was good. But the protestors were quickly shouted down and drowned out by a variety of marchers. From the righteously, outrageous twirling cops drill team, to the South Shore Drill Team, to women on big wheels and men on little ones, there was seemingly something for everyone among the more than 250 entries in this year's parade.

Officials estimate that up to half a million people lined the parade route and parade attendees went absolutely nuts when people in the parade started giving out free stuff.

But it wasn't all fun and games. The Grand Marshall came in with a message. He was the first person injured in Iraq when he lost his leg to a landmine. Now after 13 years in the Marines, he's speaking out about the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

"I served my country for 13 years as a United States Marine and I'm continuing to serve my country in different capacities -- still serving for the rights and freedoms for the people living in this country," said Eric Alva, a gay rights advocate from Texas who came out in 2007.

John Pennycuff and Robert Castillo live in Logan Square and are just back from California where they were married after the state legalized gay marriage. They would like to see Illinos be next.

"It's important that we show that we are out there willing to be upfront and honest about who we are and fight for marriage equality," said Robert Castillo.

Equality that Castillo and Pennycuff say they will fight for until their marriage is recognized -- not just by California and Massachusetts, but by California and the world.

CBS 2 was proud to be part of the Pride Parade. Rob Johnson and Mai Martinez greeted the crowd from the CBS 2 float.

An estimated 400,000 people were expected to gather in Chicago's Boystown neighborhood for the parade.

The theme of Sunday's march was "Live, Love, Be Proud" and it culminates a month of pride events being held around the community.

Pride parades commemorate a three-day riot in New York City that many credit with sparking the modern gay rights movement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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