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Windsor Pride ParadeMarriage March Continues - July 28th 2002 We arrived in Windsor on July 25 feeling optimistic, bouyed by the trial balloons the federal government had been sending through the newspapers. After a pleasent 4-hour train-ride from Toronto, we arrived in Windsor where we were welcomed by the site of a rainbow flag flying at the Windsor Radisson Hotel where we had been offered a free room for the Pride weekend. The generous gesture was much appreciated, as we pay our own travel and living expenses for our Pride activities in various cities across the country (our fundraising activity is for legal expenses only). Even the smaller considerations were looked after. The Raddison presented an information kit to the couples: "building on a decade of pride". Our first official business was with Paul Vasey at the local CBC AM radio station on the morning of July 26. We chatted about the case, expressing optimism and hope that the government would follow through on their trial statements about same-sex marriage being "inevitable". After the interview, not willing to rest on our expressed good wishes, we returned to our hotel where we began to assemble some of the advocacy signs we had brought to carry in the next day's parade.
It was our first opportunity to meet with Barb McDowall and Gail Donnelly and Hedy Helpern and Colleen Rogers. Both couples are with us in the Ontario marriage case, fighting for civil marriage. We were introduced to their son Andrew, their friends, and we enjoyed succulent roast. Alas, we had to leave, before the crowd warmed up to using the twister games that had been laid out on the ground, beside the olive oil bottle. The next day,
we attended MCC worship outside the city's court house, near city
hall. The same area was used later in the day for the final gathering
place at parade's-end. "ALL FAMILIES ARE EQUAL" "NO RDP" "EQUAL CHOICE FOR EVERYONE"
Jim Davies was Man of the Year in recognition of his contribution since 1971 when he was one of the founders of the "Windsor Homophile Association". He has marched, picketed and been fired for being openly gay (1979). Our achievements are built on his, and his generation's, hard work and accomplishments. Marc Hall spoke eloquently about his support for equal marriage and told the crowd that he stood with us as we continue our mutual fight against discrimination.
As we did after our London Ontario visit, we call on the Toronto community to support our LGBT brothers and sisters in smaller Ontario communities. Come line the streets and encourage and applaud those who are working for our equality outside of the safety and tolerance of Toronto. Remember too that you don't have to leave your home to work with us in partnership for equality. Change happens one person at a time. Please begin by writing letters to advocate an end to marriage discrimination. Next Stop: Vancouver Pride on August 4, 2002! Please join us if you can. Kevin Bourassa and Joe Varnell
Thank you to everyone who made our visit so special. We greatly appreciated your generosity and kindness. Special thanks to The Windsor Radisson Hotel, Cory Albert, Chris Cecile and the other couples involved in this great weekend! |
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