For the first time, an armed services color guard marched in a gay pride parade in Washington DC yesterday.
From Stars and Stripes:
While no policy has precluded a U.S. armed forces color guard from participating in gay-rights events since the 2011 repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, gay-rights organizations from D.C. to Hawaii say they have routinely faced rejection from local military offices, saying the color guards were otherwise occupied on the days of pride parades. Lt. Cmdr. Nate Christensen, a Department of Defense spokesman, said he could not confirm whether Saturday's event was a first because decisions about military support for parades are generally made at the local level. Christensen said an Armed Forces color guard did perform on the grounds of the Pentagon last year for a Department of Defense pride event and one was scheduled to perform there again Thursday. Lt. Col. Todd Burton, a founding member of Outserve, which has tracked the color guard issue and repeatedly sought to win approval for one at a pride event, said Saturday's is a first as far as he knows.
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The US armed forces color guard was to begin the parade right after the Dykes On Bikes roared across the starting line. After the color guard, comes the Capital Pride lead banner and grand marshal Chris Kluwe, the former Minnesota Viking punter. As you may know, Chris Kluwe has been a very outspoken ally for the LGBT community.
Also from the Stars and Stripes article:
In D.C., however, the color guard will be provided by the United States Military District of Washington, which presents colors for the president, members of Congress and countless official state functions.
An approval letter sent to pride parade organizers last month listed one caveat to the team's expected participation Saturday: "Please note this appearance is subject to preemption by the White House or other official military requirements."
Bernie Delia, president of the board of directors for Capital Pride, said he was thrilled to have the color guard participate. He said members of Outserve and other groups warned Capital Pride officials that they might receive a rejection letter.
"We knew we might get turned down, but we asked and they said 'yes,' " Delia said. "I think that's very significant."