
The
fairgrounds at the end of the Pride parade route.
London,
Ontario - On the invitation of Kathleen Holland and Bill Worrall, and the rest
of London Pride, we returned to this hospitable city to be the
grand marshals in the Pride parade and to conduct two workshops: one based on
the contents of our book (Just Married: Gay marriage
and the expansion of human rights), and the second based on the legal
aspects of our journey to full and equal marriage.
The
organizers of London Pride distinguished themselves from many of the other pride
activities in cities across Canada by organizing three days of workshops and seminars
conducted by visiting authors and experts, including San Diego author John Lockhart
(The
Gay Man's Guide to Growing Older). The result was a week of style and
substance.
We
had the pleasure of meeting Lorraine Bullard and Deb Harper (right), the first
lesbian couple to get married in Chatham-Kent. The happy couple attended one of
our seminars, and recognizing them, we thought they were a couple we had met during
our previous visit to London. Instead, as we discovered, we had seen their photograph
in news coverage about
their wedding. In smaller cities and towns all across Ontario, couples have come
forward, allowing their stories to be told, letting neighbours know that same-sex
marriage is a local issue everywhere.
The
Pride parade was the highlight of the week, with many of the participants and
onlookers inspired by the victories for equal marriage in Ontario and British
Columbia courts.
"It's
nice to know when I do want to get married, I have the right," Bonnie Bowen
told the London Free Press, dressed in a wedding gown along with Kathleen Garley.
It was the pair's first time ever participating in a Pride parade, motivated by
the tremendous strides forward for equality in Canada.
Others
marched for the first time in the parade, for similar reasons, i
ncluding
one of our friend, Brenda Boswell Simpson, a women's advocate who works in the
region. Brenda joined one of our workshops with her husband and then marched in
the parade, helping to support a PFLAG
(Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays) banner.
We
also had a chance to say hello to Pride participants who we had the pleasure of
meeting, and introducing to our web site visitors, last
year. Shelley returned with her son Eryck. Eryck,
returned, again, sporting the colours of pride and diversity . Increasingly, parents,
straight and gay, are bringing their children to Pride parades to instill within
them a respect for diversity. No child is born homophobic.
Perhaps
that was the message conveyed by the presence of two characters known to children
around the world from their appearances on televisions educational Sesame Street.
Bert and Ernie marched in the parade holding hands and generally spreading smiles
where ever they went.
Halo,
an equality advocacy group, had cards available at their information table (right),
pre-addressed with messages to local members of parliament. The cards expressed
"disgrace" to Pat O'Brien and Joseph Fontana for opposing equal marriage
and thanked Sue Barnes for her support. | |
Local
bigots were back again this year in an attempt to spread their hate, some giving
the participants in the parade the finger, others holding signs with outrageous
statements like, "Save the gerbils." It was sad and funny at the same
time. But these dark clouds of intolerance were blown away by the high spirits
of the parade marchers and the supportive onlookers, gay and straight.
The
presence of a faith community in the parade sent an important message to those
who oppose equality for same-sex couples. Rev. Deana Dudley and members of the
Holy Fellowship Metropolitan
Community Church (worship services at 10:30 a.m. at 388 Dundas St., Suite
305, London) marched the parade route, carrying their banner. The Holy Fellowship
also staffed an information table in a vendor area at the fairgrounds, and offered
an open-air service at 11:00 a.m., prior to the parade. Another
faith community that has been supportive of LGBT equality, The Unitarian Fellowship,
also partipcated in the festivities. Increasingly congregations that are welcoming
and inclusive are finding an audience for their message of tolerance among the
gay community.
 Pride
perch above King Street |  Holy
Fellowship MCC info table |
Thank
you to everyone in London who made our visit so special. We greatly appreciated
your generosity and kindness. We encourage visitors from other cities to make
the trip to London next year and experience the spirit of this enthusiastic community.
It will be a time to remember for all. Kevin
Bourassa and Joe Varnell | |
Our
report from the 2002 London parade