Organizers from San Diego Pride have announced that active-duty service members have received permission from the Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta to march in uniform during the city’s Pride parade on July 21.
Last year at SD Pride military personnel were allowed to march in civilian clothes for the first time, and veterans have long been allowed to participate in uniform, but this is the first time we’ve heard of active members of the Armed Forces wearing their “work clothes.”
It’s especially fitting, since the theme of this year’s celebration is “America’s Pride.”
“We look forward to a fun, fantastic celebration here in San Diego of the advances in LGBT equality from the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” announced Dwayne Crenshaw, executive director of San Diego LGBT Pride. San Diego has a sizable military population, thanks to the presence of numerous Navy and Marine Corps facilities.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
We wish we were going to be there—after all, who doesn’t love a man (or woman) in uniform?
Has another Pride celebration in the U.S. featured military personnel marching in their dress blues? Let us know in the comments.
Photo: U.S. Navy
Michael Bedwell
On what do you base your statement that gay active duty service members were “allowed” to march in civilian clothes last year? Allowed by whom? DADT was still on the books at that time—though embargoed from enforcement a couple of weeks later. Thanks.
Michael Bedwell
Correction. My mistake: occuring in July, the San Diego parade last year was after the court embargo. But I’d still like to know the origin of the assertion about being “allowed” to march. Thanks.
F Stratford
Gee. There was an official military contingent last year. So they were officially sanctioned by the military. It was a big deal last year. So there – “allowed”… But the official contingent of active duty military personnel wore cIvilian clothes. Google it. It’s there.
Michael Bedwell
@F Stratford:
Groan. Their only “official” sanction came from the parade organizers, the same way they “sanctioned” any other group that met their entrance requirements such as “dykes on bikes.” Doesn’t mean the participation by the latter had any “official sanction” from Harley-Davidson.
KARUADAM
VIVA Navy, I love to see all the “HOMOS” taking the world over and rule!! I love men in uniforms.
Ericka Soto
Actually the DOD issued a written statement in regards to uniforms being worn in these parades. The DOD allowed it.
Mario
Ahora mismo ?nicamente resta desear que la empresa Apple haga lo esperado y termine su esperado
aparato para satisfacer las necesidades de lo que
se quiere con este m?vil y cuando por fin lo tengan en su mano disfr?tenlo
todo lo posible porque no alcanzar? el tiempo para usar todas sus opciones y usos que har?n
su rutina sensiblemente m?s sencilla y entretenida.