An estimated 30,000 people showed up for this year’s Miami Beach Gay Pride on April 17th. Balconies and sidewalks along Ocean Drive were filled with onlookers and supporters as colorful marchers flourished banners, waved flags, squirted water pistols and tossed beads.
Parade Grand Marshals included Fisher Island resident Sharon Gless, the multiple Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress best known for her roles in Cagney and Lacey and Queer as Folk. She was joined by 29-year-old U.S. Army Lt. Dan Choi, who has twice been arrested for chaining himself to a White House fence to protest “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Choi was discharged from the military after coming out on television.
Now in its second year, Miami Beach Gay Pride has grown. Last year’s turnout was an estimated 20,000 and next year’s Pride will be bigger and better than ever, organizers say.
