One man in a rainbow coloured shirt waved his feather boa and yelled “Hooah!” the military battle cry. Onlookers stepped into the parade route to salute them. One Marine stopped to pose with two towering bikini-clad blondes in stiletto-heeled boots. Marines and sailors ran out carrying their branch’s flags over their heads. The crowd roared as the group waving military flags and holding placards identifying their military branch walked past the thousands.Įvery branch of service was represented Saturday, including the Coast Guard. “I’m a soldier no matter what, regardless of my sexual orientation.” It’s time for it (the policy) to be gone,” Herrera said.
“This is one of the proudest days in my life. She said she was “choked up” several times as she walked down a main thoroughfare in San Diego, a major Navy port. National Guard member Nichole Herrera, 31, said she didn’t think twice about marching, even though the policy is back on the books. The march comes a day after a federal appeals court reinstated the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy but with a caveat that prevents the government from investigating or penalizing anyone who is openly gay. Many of the active-duty troops said they were moved to come out because it is time to end the military’s ban on openly gay troops. The additional stripes represent marginalized communities of color, signified by the black and brown arrow shaped lines, and the transgender community, signified by the white, pink, and blue arrow shaped lines.”Ĭity officials said the flag was sewn in Hillcrest by Shaun Sharp and Ashley Neil Tipton, a native San Diegan and the season 14 winner of the hit television show “Project Runway.SAN DIEGO - About 200 active-duty troops and veterans wearing T-shirts advertising their branch of service marched Saturday in San Diego’s gay pride parade with American flags and rainbow banners, marking what is believed to be the first time a military contingent has participated in such an event in the U.S. This flag is a representation of the LGBTQ community’s resilience, the struggles we have faced and a reminder that we must continue to fight for inclusiveness and respect in many parts of the world,” said Gloria.Ĭampbell said, “I am so proud to include the LGBTQ+ flag over City Hall because we know that San Diego recognizes the talents and abilities of all types of people no matter your color, religion or who we love.”Īccording to city officials, the flag now hanging at City Hall is known as the Progress Pride Flag, “which adds five arrow shaped lines to the classic Rainbow Pride Flag. “The rainbow flag flying proudly at City Hall for the first time sends an important message to our LGBTQ community: we see you, we support you and you belong here.
The mayor, City Council President Jennifer Campbell, Council President Pro Tem Stephen Whitburn, City Commissioner Nicole Murray-Ramirez, and members of San Diego LGBT Pride and the San Diego LGBT Community Center were all on hand for Monday’s flag raising. Gloria is San Diego’s first LGBTQ mayor, and city officials said, “San Diego also carries the distinction of being the largest city in the country to ever elect an openly gay man as Mayor.” With June being National Pride Month, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said the historic flag raising is part of his effort to create a more inclusive community and to show the city’s support for the LGBTQ community.
SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - The City of San Diego on Monday raised a Pride flag at City Hall for the first time in its history in recognition of National Pride Month.