Write a commentOn Sunday, Oct. 12, history was made in Oswego when its first-ever gay pride parade commenced.
The Oswego Pride Parade, organized by Oswego Pride Committee president Gary L. Smith Jr., kicked off at 11 a.m. at Breitbeck Park as crowds of parade participants and supporters excitedly gathered, clad in rainbow colors, funky outfits and drag.
A diverse crowd of onlookers, young and old, clapped and cheered as the parade marched down Lake Street and West First, led by the Lakeside Winterguard and Colorguard, which performed to Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.”
One supporter, who attended with her children, expressed that she was ecstatic this event was finally transpiring.
“When I heard about the parade, I was actually pleasantly surprised,” Mary S. said. “I’m so proud that Oswego is finally starting to become more tolerant of the gay community.”
The procession was comprised of several different groups: the Syracuse Gay and Lesbian Chorus (SGLC), members of Oswego Pride, who carried a large rainbow banner, a float from the Transgender Alliance of Central NY (TGACNY), SUNY Oswego’s show choir, Vocal Effect, and the SUNY Oswego Theatre Department’s cast from the upcoming “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” which sang and danced to several songs from the gay-friendly musical. Small rainbow flags were being sold to spectators for $1 each to be waved in support of the parade.
The parade ended on West First Street, and the procession and crowd alike continued on to the Oswego Pride Festival at West Linear Park. The park was bustling with SUNY Oswego students, Oswego locals, and others from nearby towns. Many students showed support by sporting National Coming Out Day T-shirts, which were handed out on campus Oct. 9 and 10 by the SUNY Oswego Pride Alliance.
There were multiple non-profit vendors from the LGBTQ community selling rainbow-themed jewelry, apparel and more, in addition to vendors providing information about sexual and mental health. The Red Sun Fire Roasting Co. and Let’s Roll also sold food for the event. Moreover, the family-friendly event provided free face painting, balloon animals and a bounce house for kids.
Most appealing were the many forms of entertainment that took place on the park’s Veterans’ Stage. First in line were spectacular performances by the talented SGLC. The SUNY Oswego Theatre also advertised its upcoming Halloween premiere of “Rocky Horror Picture Show” by performing “The Time Warp” and “Sweet Transvestite.”
Perhaps the pinnacle of the festival was the drag show. A majority of the performances by the drag kings and queens were Disney-themed, including songs from Aladdin, Pocahontas, The Little Mermaid, Lion King, and Frozen. Many of the children in attendance danced and sang to the familiar songs, and one act even included two young boys alongside a drag king, dancing and singing to “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. Additionally, SUNY Oswego’s Vocal Effect provided entertainment for the drag show’s intermission.
All in all, the premiere of our beloved city’s Pride Parade and Festival was a great success. After such a wonderful turnout, it’s expected that next year’s event will only be bigger and better.
