Dutch military joins Gay Pride parade for 1st time

[William769]

AMSTERDAM (AP) — Embracing a policy of "Do Tell," the Dutch military joined Amsterdam's annual Gay Pride parade for the first time, with uniformed men and women saluting the crowds from a boat chugging through a historic city canal.

A balloon-festooned barge bearing the standards of the service branches and sponsored by the Defense Ministry sailed among about 80 other floats, with music blaring from most of them and dancers dressed in flamboyant costumes — or very little at all.

The parade, watched by hundreds of thousands of spectators lining the Prinsengracht canal, capped a weeklong festival of around 300 parties and events. It included the popular "Drag Queen Olympics" with contests like the stiletto race and the long-distance handbag toss.

U.S. and British activists sailed with Dutch generals and other senior officers — some gay and others showing solidarity — among some 80 military and ministry civilian personnel.

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