Pride 2015 Blasts Off

Rochester's 2015 Pride parade blasted off on Saturday July 18. This years theme was science fiction. There were plenty of references to Star Trek, Star Wars, Dr Who, aliens and the Space Program. One of interest was the Rochester Kink Society's "Gender Bender" a reference to Bender the robot in the animated sci-fi series Futurama.

Some of the non-sci-fi notables were Rochester Red and Black/Metro Justice's "Fight for $15" contingent reminding us that poverty wages hurt everyone; raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.  2016 Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders had a large group of followers at the event as well. Congressmember Louise Slaughter and Monroe County executive hopeful Sandy Frankel were in force as well.

Several local and a few distant churches had marchers in the parade as well. A few religious extremist protesters met the parade near its end on Monroe Ave, in front of an antique shop. Perhaps that would be a good place to put their ideas.  It is the 21st century after all.

Festivities continued at Martin Luther King Memorial Park.