We are Family: Chicago school to march in Pride Parade

The black metal fence in front of Nettelhorst Elementary School is obscured by thousands of strips of dyed fabric -- yellows giving way to greens, then blues, purples and reds -- each one tied on by the small hands of a student.

The ruffled, waist-high rainbow is a symbol of the school's solidarity with its east Lakeview community, and a sign hanging by the gate trumpets that Nettelhorst this year "will be the first Chicago public school to march in the city's gay pride parade."

"We believe family means everybody," the sign reads.

Amy Goodman agrees with that. She'll be in the parade at noon Sunday with her husband, towing their 6-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter in a wagon bedecked in rainbows.
Nettelhorst Elementary School to show solidarity with surrounding gay community

Among the few dissenting voices in the community is Tom Mannis, a blogger for conservative blog RogersParkBench.blogspot.com.

"I was walking through the neighborhood, and I came across the school, and the display of very pretty multicolored cloths. I thought it would make a nice picture. When I read the placard [that explains the display), all kinds of thoughts went through my head," said Mannis. "I have nothing against gay people, I'm not a homophobe, and I have nothing against the parade. But I step back and say, 'What is the gay pride parade as it happens here?' Drunk men with their asses hanging out of tutus."

If you visit his blog, you'll find "Not a Homophobe" Mannis says that the Lakeview neighborhood in Chicago's primary purpose is to promote anal sex.

Windy City Times

Updated On: 6/25/09 at 12:59 PM

Dear Mr. Mannis:

We don't call the pieces of attire our asses hang out of "tutus."

We call them "chaps."

Your pal,
Joey

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I love that picture.

YAY! I'm very excited about this. The comments get sort of bizarre. Especially those who believe the kids are being forced to do this, possibly against the will of the parents. I guess they don't understand how public schools operate, where you can't just take children off school property without written consent OR have any knowledge about the location and neighborhood where the school is located. You don't accidentally raise small children two blocks from Boystown with such fierce condemnation of the glibbits. If you do, you only have your idiotic self to blame.

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Chicago's Boystown has had it's battles with the Heterosexual homesteaders. There was a bar who fought a lengthy & very expensive battle after a condominium went in next door and a unit owner began calling the police on them every night. And it wasn't that long ago that the Pleasure Chest had numerous complaints from parents that they didn't want a sex shop in the neighborhood where they were raising their kids. It's good to see the pendulum has swung and everyone is getting along.

"they are getting a LOT of mileage out of a commentator who bemoans the fact that school children are being used as "Prawns" in this battle."

By any chance was the commentator's name - Mr Roxy?

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Updated On: 6/25/09 at 01:57 PM

I am gay and I personally would not take a child to gay pride. I am still shocked by some of the things I see...