Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Arts & Entertainment

Military Members Will Dress Up In Uniform At Gay Pride Parade For the First Time

gay_pride_flag.jpg
Photo by essygie via Flickr.

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

We're sure that the San Diego pride parade has featured a lot of out-there costumes before but this year will be special: the Department of Defense decided to get involved in picking out active service members' outfits.

For the first time ever, 200 active duty members will be donning their uniforms in tomorrow's pride parade with the blessing of the Department, according to the Associated Press.

"My soul is on fire," said Sean Sala, who organized the military’s participation in the parade. He told the AP he wanted service members to wear their official uniform to show that they no longer have to hide. "They don't fight in T-shirts. They fight in uniforms. This is about showing who they are."

Military members, of course, can march in whatever parade they want, but this is the first time the department has approved of any active duty service members wearing their uniforms at any pride parade. The Defense Department told the AP that it made an exception because the event was getting national attention.

If any of you guys happen to be at pride, send us your shots of service members

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today