Pride and Politics

It was clear from the clinkety-clink of the traditional just-married cans strung behind the white convertible. It was clear from the melody of “Goin’ to the Chapel,” as a singer belted it from atop a flowery purple float. And it was clear even through the crackling static of a loudspeaker, from an intersection where two men were joined in holy--albeit officially illegal--matrimony Sunday.

What was on the minds of many at the 26th annual Gay and Lesbian Pride Celebration in West Hollywood was as complex as election-year politics and as simple as the words “I do”--same-sex marriages.

In many ways, the parade and festival appeared as flamboyant as ever. Men wearing studded leather gladiator outfits stepped out in army boots; women in biker chaps sat astride Harleys.

A squad of men resplendent in red and white cheerleader skirts and waving pompoms strutted in front of a convertible-load of homosexual Municipal and Superior Court judges.

Bicyclists promoting the California AIDS Ride weren’t far behind the horse-mounted cowboys of the Gay Rodeo Assn.

But some observers said the always-festive event seemed to carry a more political edge this year.

“It’s a pride celebration, but where are we going with it?” said Tom Keniston, 41, an accountant from Santa Monica. “If you solved AIDS and let gays get married, we wouldn’t have this. As long as we have to struggle for rights, we have to do this.”

Activists are preparing for a legal showdown set for August in a Hawaii circuit court, where they will argue that states cannot block their access to such civil procedures as marriage.

And just weeks ago, President Clinton infuriated gay activists by announcing his opposition to a bill requiring states to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.

“We feel he’s kind of let us down a little bit, but at least we’re talking about it now,” said Jose Gomez, 45, decked out in a traditional charro uniform as he marched with Dignity/L.A., an organization of gay Catholics. “We’re not asking for any special rights.”

Parade participants ran into scant protesters along the Santa Monica Boulevard route. The festival, sponsored by the nonprofit organization Christopher Street West, marks the anniversary of a New York City police raid on a gay hangout called the Stonewall Inn in June 1969.