Festival celebrates city’s diversity

In order to attain equal rights for all, people must speak out against homophobia, said retired Army Col. Grethe Cammermeyer, who challenged the military’s ban on gays and lesbians and successfully fought to stay in the Washington National Guard.

“Don’t be afraid to challenge whoever is putting you down,” Cammermeyer told more than 1,000 people Saturday at the annual Pride Parade and Rainbow Festival in downtown Spokane. “I firmly believe … if you are uncomfortable in being out, in being who you are, it’s probably where you need to be. Because it is where the change will take place.”

Unlike larger, metropolitan cities, Spokane hasn’t always been an easy place to be gay, acknowledged some participants at this year’s celebration. But change has indeed taken place in recent years, they said, empowering people to speak out against discrimination and to come out of the closet and live without fear.

“This is a time to gather together and give each other strength,” said Angie Black, 53 and a Spokane resident for the last 35 years. “As a teen growing up in the ‘60s, I didn’t have the resources that young people have today. Look at how far we’ve come. I’m so proud of that fact, and this is the day to celebrate.”

At noon on Saturday, the streets of downtown Spokane took on the colors of the rainbow as crowds of people danced, cheered, marched and reveled – all in the name of diversity and pride.

“I’m here because I’m proud,” said Gene Young, a lifelong Spokane resident who wore a tank top and shorts in rainbow tie-dye to match his colorful feathered boa, striped socks and black high heels. “I want people to know that we deserve the same rights as everyone else.”

The vibrant procession included elaborate floats and convertibles that circled a half-mile route to the flutter of rainbow flags and the sassy, brassy sounds of the Rainbow City Band.

Participants in the parade and festival included families with young children, senior citizens, middle-age folk, as well as teens and young people from area schools and colleges. Several churches also took part in the celebration, including the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane and Westminster Congregational United Church of Christ.

“Would Jesus discriminate?” asked a sign on a float designed by members of Spokane’s Emmanuel Metropolitan Community Church. The float – a red pickup pulling along a colorful trailer – was covered with other messages, including “Hate is not Christian,” “Jesus Loves All the Children of the World” and “God is Love.”

Other participants included the Pom Squad, a group of “radical cheerleaders” dressed in red and black uniforms made mostly out of leather and lace. “I hope more people realize that this is a family event,” said Anne Dietz, whose 6-year-old son, David Spingola, wore a shirt that said, “Let My Moms Marry.”

This year’s celebration drew dozens of people from smaller, surrounding communities. Other cities in Washington state, including Yakima and Vancouver, are having their pride parties and picnics this weekend as well, but none offers a parade or the type of festivities available in Spokane, said the Rev. Janet Pierce of River of Life Metropolitan Community Church in Kennewick, Wash.

For the first time, members of the North Idaho Gay Men’s Association also took part in the parade. The guys from Moscow, Coeur d’Alene and other cities wore cowboy hats while waving to the crowds from an old Suburban decked out with flashing lights. “This is going to be the destination pride event for the Inland Northwest,” said Kevin Kappes of Moscow, who came with his longtime partner, Jon Spears. “We’re having lots of fun.”

After the 45-minute parade through downtown, participants gathered at Riverfront Park, which was filled with live entertainment, informational booths and a kids’ area, where children could spend the afternoon jumping in bouncy castles, playing games or getting their faces painted. The festival officially began with a short speech from Cammermeyer followed by the annual wedding ceremony.

“I came over from Seattle and thought, ‘There are no gay people in Spokane,’ ” quipped Cammermeyer, the grand marshal of this year’s parade. “And indeed there are. There are many. I am so pleased to be part of this wonderful event you’re having.”

After being fired by the military for being a lesbian, Cammermeyer was reinstated in 1994. She wrote about her pain and successful court challenge in “Serving in Silence,” a book published in 1995. Her story also was told in an NBC-TV movie produced by Barbra Streisand. Glenn Close played Cammermeyer in the film.

“We need to be acknowledged as contributing members of all aspects of society,” she told the crowd. “The only way that changes, is for each of us – as we are able – to come out and challenge the homophobia that exists in society.”