A San Diego woman has launched a Facebook drive to ban a Rose Parade float that features an actual same-sex wedding, saying the practice is banned by dozens of states and the family-friendly event shouldn’t promote illegal activity.
“Gay marriage is illegal in over 30 states,” said Krean Grube, in Breitbart.com. “Why would they promote something that is blatantly illegal? That’s just stupid.”
She also said that her opposition to the float wasn’t based on religious reasons, but that parade organizers shouldn’t engage in “political agenda,” Breitbart reported.
“It used to be a family thing to get up on New Year’s Day morning and watch the parade,” she said, in the outlet. “It no longer is.”
She’s calling for a parade boycott and has established a Facebook page to drum up support for the boycott. The float in question is sponsored by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and is titled, “Love is the Best Protection,” Breitbart reported. It features Danny Leclair, a hairdresser, getting married aboard the float.
Mr. Leclair said he’s received negative feedback about the float — but that he doesn’t care.
“It’s something that they don’t understand and so I expected it,” he said, Breitbart reported. “We’re not dissuaded or upset or concerned. We’re simply acknowledging it … [and] there’s a lot of people who think we’re doing this as a political statement. It couldn’t be further from the truth. Our stance is love is love, and love will save lives.”
But Ralph Shaffer, a professor emeritus of history at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, said the display was definitely rooted in politics and aggression.
It’s an “in your face” act,” he said, Breitbart reported, and will likely fuel flames against the gay community, especially when the gay couple trade their kisses.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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