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Gay pride parade brings out rights supporters

News Channel 8 photo by JIM FARQUHAR

Participants take part in the 7th Annual St. Petersburg Gay Pride Parade on Saturday.

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TBO.com

Published: June 27, 2009

ST. PETERSBURG - The Tampa Bay region's gay and lesbian residents – along with friends and supporters – braved the weather and a smattering of protesters to celebrate Gay Pride on Saturday.

The festival, which included a parade down Central Avenue, happened one day before the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots – the response to a police raid on a New York gay bar that sparked the current gay rights movement.

Pastor Billy Ball of Primrose, Ga., was among several small groups of protesters picketing the festival. Ball carried a sign that said: "Three Gay Rights: AIDS, Hell, Salvation."

"We come every year," Ball said. "We spend our money, leave our pretty wives and come down here and preach to a bunch of perverts at our own expense."

Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner, who is gay, was the parade's grand marshal. Beckner praised what he said was growing acceptance of gays and lesbians on both sides of Tampa Bay.

"You're seeing the mindset change over a period of time," Beckner said.

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