Rather than dancing, many in the second march were chanting.
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Ten thousand Caftans - a group of marchers wearing long, brightly colored tunics - closed out the EQT march, passing through Downtown about 30 minutes before the People’s March traveled on the same roads.
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Chipotle handed out coupons from their float - a rented red tour bus topped off with dancers on the upper level. Local businesses and organizations - like UPMC and Uber - had large groups of marchers. Interspersed between floats featuring drag queens and huge rainbow flags, the event’s business backers joined in the parade as well, some in vehicles or floats and some with contingents of their employees marching on the street. “When a corporate entity is saying they accept, it’s another thing if they’re firing people for being trans.” “It’s important for them to incorporate this into other parts of their business practices,” Andrews said. But while many chose the Delta Foundation’s parade because of its popularity and vibrancy, some sympathized strongly with the message that the People’s Pride parade was sending. Portions of Downtown were closed off from traffic both Saturday and Sunday for a variety of Pride-related activities, including carnival style booths up and down Liberty Avenue and a performance Saturday night by musician Jennifer Hudson.Īnnouncers during the EQT march itself suggested that this year’s Pride parade was one of the best attended in the event’s history in Pittsburgh. The Delta Foundation-organized event comprised more than just a parade. “It’s a space where you can unapologetically be yourself.”
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“There’s sort of an immediate confidence boost, being out and unapologetic,” Andrews said. Point Park sophomore Emerson Andrews emphasized the importance of community in choosing to attend the larger parade. While stirring up some controversy this year because of its corporate sponsorship, the original parade remained the largest and most visible event for the LGBTQ+ community in the city during the weekend’s Pride celebrations.