Thousands Converge In Downtown Detroit For Motor City Pride
DETROIT (WWJ) - Gay marriage and anti-bullying legislation; those are just a couple of the issues members of the gay and lesbian community are supporting at the annual Motor City Pride held in downtown Detroit this weekend.
WWJ's Beth Fisher reports thousands of gay lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people have gathered for the largest such festival in Michigan.
"It's a sea change, it's absolutely amazing. I broke into tears when I heard it, what it does is it changes the whole dialogue, and it makes it ... not are you for gay marriage, but why aren't you for gay marriage," said Jan Stephenson co-publisher of Between the Lines magazine.
Nick of Kalamazoo spoke with WWJ on the issue that's important to him.
"Just legalization of gay marriage ... just the same rights as everybody else ...it's definitely going to effect the way I vote in November,"said Nick.
Charles Alexander says he's seen a lot of changes for gays and lesbians since he came out in 1957.
"For me this event is absolutely astounding because back then (1957) there were no organizations, no magazines, no churches, the only access for gays and lesbians were through the bars," said Alexander.
One publisher of a gay and lesbian newspaper says they'll support President Barack Obama's re-election because of his support of gay marriage.
