The city of Charleston in the state of South Carolina will be hosting its first Gay Pride.

[ccharles000]

When a group of gay organizers asked North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey if he wanted to be the grand marshal of a gay-pride parade, his answer was simple.

"Absolutely."

In a clear indication of North Charleston's evolving diversity, the city will host the first Charleston Gay Pride Parade and Celebration on May 15.

The route will run through the Olde Village district, near Park Circle. It's the same path as North Charleston's St. Patrick's Day parade.

Summey said he accepted the honor as part of his role as mayor and in recognizing that the city is growing, drawing in new populations.

"This is not in any way saying that I am supportive of their lifestyle," he said, adding that the differences don't make gays "any less a citizen" in North Charleston.

Organizer Lynn Dugan said North Charleston officials were extremely accommodating after the group's unsuccessful attempts to hold a parade-festival in Charleston.

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/feb/11/parade-will-mark-gay-pride/

[gratuitous]

1. A mayor for all his citizens?

How very strange. Well, I'm sure that once Faux and their ideological allies in the nutzoid right get wind of this, they'll put the kibosh on this, and teach Mr. Summey just what is and isn't acceptable behavior in an elected official in a conservative part of the country.

[bullwinkle428]

2. I love how the mayor quickly stepped up to declare he was still homophobic!

"This is not in any way saying that I am supportive of their lifestyle,"

:rofl:

[T Wolf]

8. Yeah, but he also said that "the differences don't make gays "any less a citizen."

Have to give him credit (half) for that.

And maybe that is an example of a truly "liberal" attitude - I don't like that, but you still have (some) rights.

For a place like SC, this is a major step. Not enough, by any means. But at least an inkling of progress.

[JI7]

3. this is great, Charleston is liberal but the state is very conservative

and it's good to have some support there.

on edit, it probably woudln't be considered liberal as you would think in ny, california, mass etc. but it is compared to the rest of the state. and they are mostly democratic.

[T Wolf]

4. Very good, but make sure you are all ready for the absolute shitstorm that will be thrown up

by your fellow-citizens, and those whom they bring in from out-of-state to protest this.

It should be interesting, to say the least.

Reminds me when my south-Georgia relatives (by marriage) came up to Philly to visit. After showing them Independence Hall, they got trapped across the street from us

by the Philadelphia Gay Pride Parade, complete with the most flamboyant people they had ever seen in their lives. I almost peed my pants laughing, watching the reaction on their faces. Priceless!

[Tailormyst]

5. It's great that they are having the parade!

The mayor is a real piece of work huh?

[lynne]

6. NORTH Charleston is having the parade. That's not "old" Charleston, they are two separate cities -

- with separate mayors, government, etc. They are not one in the same. Your post states that they group was unsuccessful in their attempts to hold a parade in Charleston.

Congrats to North Charleston and I hope they have a wonderfully successful parade!

[marmar]

7. "This is not in any way saying that I am supportive of their lifestyle,"

I guess he has to keep his street cred with the bigots. :eyes: