The parade included another kind of political statement, too: A two-story, anti-Bruce Rauner banner was hung on the southeast corner of Halsted and Roscoe, one of the most popular intersections on the parade route. Pat Quinn, Toni Preckwinkle, Mike Quigley, Anita Alvarez, James Cappleman, Jan Schakowsky and Illinois Representative Greg Harris, who sponsored the gay marriage bill. Other political contingents participating included Gov. Daley was the first sitting mayor to join the parade in 1989 and Mayor Rahm Emanuel continued that tradition Sunday by walking the route waving and high-fiving those lined up behind the sidewalk barricades. Many spectators still carried open containers along the route. The crackdown on public drinking was not as heavy as many parade-goers expected. The crowded parade route resulted in at least eight arrests and damage to a police car, according to the Chicago Police Department. The crowd was rowdy, as peopled pushed and shoved their way through sidewalk congestion. Anyone trying to walk down Halsted between Aldine and Roscoe encountered standstill foot traffic with minimal security officials to keep the congestion flowing. The Chicago Police Department had its work cut out with crowd control. You just don’t see that same spirit with any other Chicago celebration." “I love that the government officials and police department participate so much in the parade. “It’s always just as hot and just as crazy,” said Johnson who has been attending the parade the past four years with the same group of friends.
Tom Tunney (44th) to have Sunday's Cubs game moved to a Saturday day-night doubleheader, helped ease some Red Line and overall Lakeview traffic congestion, but trains bypassed the Belmont stop for a while leading up to the parade. This was no easy task considering some attendees, like Anna Johnson, arrived at 10 a.m. The crowds flocked to the route's major intersections to stake out an area before the parade began. The crowd was a colorful mix of Chicago’s vibrant LGBT community and supporters. The blistering heat and packed sidewalks did not dampen the mood of onlookers as music blared and people cheered from both the street and rooftops in Lakeview's Boystown neighborhood. “For me this parade means that there is always hope for the gay community,” said spectator Greg Bandy. Many carried signs and wore T-shirts declaring their nuptials. Dozens of same-sex couples, some with small children, who were now legally married received roaring cheers as they walked the route. They had perhaps the world's largest reception - an estimated one-million parade-goers who lined the streets to celebrate Illinois' first month since the same-sex marriage bill took effect. (Photo/Brianna Kelly) Same-Sex Marriage Celebrated at Chicago Pride Paradeįour couples boarded a float in the 45th annual Chicago Pride Parade on Sunday afternoon and took their vows as their trailer made its way down Broadway and Halsted streets in Lakeview.
Marriage equality supporters wave to the crowd.