Birmingham,
Ala.'s mayor announced Friday that he refuses to sign a
proclamation allowing for the city's annual gay pride
parade, according to the Birmingham News.
Regardless of
Mayor Larry Langford's refusal, however, the parade is
still set to go on as scheduled, on June 7.
Langford
clarified his position Saturday, saying that although he
disagrees with the event, he would not restrict the
parade's application. Requests for parade
permits go through the police department and typically
are not signed by the mayor.
Langford told the
News, "I don't think I'm intolerant; I just
don't condone the lifestyle. I'm not going to endorse,
condone, or condemn anybody. I'm just not going to
sign the proclamation."
He cited his
support for increased funding for AIDS outreach programs and
a nondiscriminatory hiring policy as evidence of his fair
treatment of all people.
Despite the
mayor's comments, the 20th Gay Pride Parade, sponsored by
Central Alabama Pride, will take place in Birmingham's
Five Points South district. It is still uncertain
whether the police department will approve permits
allowing for banners on city property without the
mayor's support.
"Central Alabama
Pride is going to stand firm in who we are," said the
group's president, Johnathan Quinn. "We are proud every day,
and we're building a stronger community, whether it's signed
off on or not." (The Advocate)
