FORT WORTH -- Organizers of the "Ride the Rainbow" Pride Parade hope the colorful procession on Main Street Saturday will help build community spirit.
"It's not a political rally in any way," spokesman Todd Camp said. "It's a celebration."For a second year, the annual gay pride parade will be in downtown Fort Worth. There were 50 entries as of late Wednesday."This is our 31st parade," said Tina Harvey, coordinator for the event. "It is the second year to go on Main Street."It's part of a longer LGBT celebration that started Thursday and continues through Oct. 14, said Tony Coronado, treasurer of the Tarrant County Gay Pride Week Association.The events allow the LGBT community to gather to show how they are a part of the social fabric of Tarrant County.A shadow over the parade is the death of Tom Anable, who was to be one of this years' grand marshals.Anable, 58, a founding member of Fairness Fort Worth, was found dead Aug. 18 at Dutch Branch Park near Benbrook Lake. His death was ruled a suicide."He's one of the main reasons why our community is able to march on Main Street," Harvey said, explaining that Anable worked to develop a better relationship between city leaders and the LGBT after the Rainbow Lounge controversy in 2009.The parade was held for 29 years along South Jennings Street before moving downtown last year.Camp, media chairman for the Tarrant County Gay Pride Week Association, said Anable had appeared to be moved by his nomination as grand marshal."It meant a lot because it was coming from the community itself," Camp said. "He will be greatly, greatly missed."Two other grand marshals will be Candi Carroll and William Dotson.Harvey hopes the week's events don't draw as many protesters as last year, some of whom made cruel comments to participants, including telling children of LGBT families they shouldn't have been born."We are just families, friends and people in relationships -- a loving community," Harvey said. "We want to get rid of the stereotypes ... that we are just a bunch of freaks."Camp said organizers have worked with city to ensure that the event is safe and that the lines between peaceful protest and hateful intolerance aren't crossed.Diane Smith, 817-390-7675Twitter: @dianeasmith1
Tarrant County
Gay Pride 2012
Saturday
Parade, noon to 2 p.m.
Route: 100 Main St. to 800 Main St., Fort Worth
Street festival, noon to 6 p.m.
General Worth Square on Main Street between Eighth and Ninth streets.
Bands, vendors and family friendly entertainment.
Sunday
Pride Picnic at Trinity Park, noon to 6 p.m.
Parking at Farrington Field.
More information online at tcgpwa.org.
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