By Rev. Dewey W. Edwards

Cleveland, Ohio hosted their annual Pride Day in downtown Cleveland this weekend.  There were many spectators from all over the Cleveland community and the many participants from other near by cities in the Ohio region. The event kicked off at 12:00 Noon capping off with a festival that concluded  around 9:00 P.M. In addition to the parade events there were many other gay pride events going on through out the " The Rock 'n' Roll Capital of the World" this past week.


 

As the parade proceeded down the Cleveland down town streets there were many cheers and the crowed shouted out "Go Gay Pride, Happy Pride Day to all". On the opposite side of the street was anti- gay ministers, groups and supporters speaking and shouting with loud voices. "Stop the gay life style quoting scripture and announcing homosexuals and gay people are going straight to hell. But this did not have any effect on the gay supporters nor the crowed in fact it hype the crowed to start chanting and saying legalize gay marriages and respect the rights of homosexuals and others.

I believe that the 2009 Pride Day parade  was more successful than last year. I give thanks to the planners and the organizing committee for a spectacular job well done. Cleveland's  gay and non-gay community are coming together rapidly. Events like this give hope that one day all states and local cities will codify fair laws that are inclusive of every race, creed, color and life style.