Idaho gay float enters non-gay Western Days parade under restrictions
“At least it’s another little baby step, although, the restrictions that we have, I think, are a little bit ridiculous…. We will follow what the parade organizers have allowed so that we can keep some common ground and not loose any.”
Mitch Silvester representing the Southern Idaho Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center. After being rejected previously, the Center was allowed to participate in this year’s community parade, “Western Days,” with strict instructions not to use rainbow flags, pass out AIDS or drug information, and not use the organization’s full name — using “Southern Idaho Community Center” instead. Silvester explains more about it on camera for the news channel KTVB 7 .
“We just want them to be in the parade with everyone else, don’t push your agenda, we don’t have every single person in the parade pushing agenda, we just want them to come and have a good time, and that’s all we are asking for.”
Lisa Cuellar, board chair of the Twin Falls, Idaho parade, “Western Days,” remarking on a purposefully-muted controversy that surrounds the gay float’s inclusion at the mid-western community’s anual celebration. (KTVB 7)
“They can do whatever they want, long as they keep it away from me.”
Stacy Randell, a Twin Falls resident responding to the first-time inclusion of a gay float in the community’s parade. It is reported that little reaction was garnered because few people could tell it was a gay float, though a group of high school supporters says they received a few “death glares” when they set up to support the group. (Times -ews)
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