Gay Marriage to Be Performed on Rose Parade Float
A gay couple plans to wed on top of a cake-shaped float constructed out of flowers in the 125th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California on Jan. 1, 2014.
The marriage between Danny Leclair (45) and Aubrey Loots (42) takes place on the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) float, which is titled “Living the Dream: Love Is the Best Protection.” The float, which cost $150,000 to build, is intended to celebrate several legal victories for the same-sex marriage movement in 2013, including US Supreme Court decisions allowing legal gay marriage to resume in California and overturning a key part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). AHF also built the float to promote “the role marriage can play in reducing HIV infections among gay men.” AHF spokesman Ged Kenslea said “We believe that marriage saves lives."
Some opponents of gay marriage have voiced their opposition to the upcoming ceremony. The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association has received complaints, and negative comments have been posted to its official Facebook page. One comment reads, "I am a 79 year old Los Angeles native and have not missed a parade since I was about 4 years old. I have watched my LAST one due to your decision to allow this unbiblical, gay marriage to take place on one of your floats.”
Gay marriage opponent Karen Grube of San Diego, California, started a Facebook page to protest the event and call for a boycott. Grube stated that “Gay marriage is illegal in over 30 states, why would they promote something that is blatantly illegal? That’s just stupid.” Peter LaBarbera, President of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality (AFTAH), said “This float is symbolic of proud homosexual sin on parade for the whole nation to see… This is what America has become.”
In response to the controversy, the Tournament of Roses Association issued a statement defending the event: “The Pasadena Tournament of Roses is pleased to have AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) participate with a float entry in the 125th Rose Parade… Like all of our sponsors and float designers, AHF continues to help make the Rose Parade a premier event through original and creative expressions that connect to parade themes – as this float does.”
