Sharpton to march
in NYC pride parade

The Reverend Al Sharpton said Friday that he will join Democrat Brian Ellner, a gay candidate for Manhattan borough president, in this year's 36th annual LGBT pride march Sunday in New York City. This marks the first time that Sharpton will march. "This is about more than Al Sharpton and Brian Ellner," Sharpton said. "It is about two people coming together to address common issues. I am marching for the first time this year because the HIV crisis in the African-American community is of epidemic proportion, and now is the time to take action. I know that Brian Ellner will be an ally and a partner as we address the issues that too few people are talking about." Ellner said, "I am proud to have Reverend Sharpton by my side for this march. Together we are going to talk about the fact that nearly half of all new HIV infections nationally are African-American and that the fastest-growing HIV population in America is African-American women. We can save lives. If I win this race, I will stand up every day for the African-American community, the LGBT community, and every other community at risk."