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Gays celebrate at pride parade

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 28, 2009

Tampa Bay's gay and lesbian residents — along with friends and supporters — braved the weather and a smattering of protesters to celebrate Gay Pride Saturday in St. Petersburg.

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 small groups of protesters picketing the festival. Ball carried a sign reading: "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 grand marshal. Beckner praised what he said was growing acceptance of gays and lesbians on both sides of Tampa Bay.

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