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Rose Parade History Made With Same-Sex Marriage

Celeste Alvarez |
January 1, 2014 | 2:10 p.m. PST

Staff Reporter

Danny Leclair and Audrey Loots are all smiles as they hold their wedding rings. (AIDS Healthcare Foundation)
Danny Leclair and Audrey Loots are all smiles as they hold their wedding rings. (AIDS Healthcare Foundation)

Nothing stopped two Los Angeles locals from making history during the 2014 Rose Bowl Parade as they led the parade’s first same-sex wedding, despite social media controversy.

Danny Leclair and Audrey Loots tied the knot atop their own personalized wedding cake float as hundreds of thousands of spectators along the route looked on, many clapping as the grooms said “I do,” according to the Los Angeles Times.

The nuptial even encouraged some South California natives to attend the parade, including Jennifer Adair, 41, who watched the parade from curbside seats with her girlfriend, Bonnie Cortez.

“I’m going to cheer, ‘Gay rights! Gay rights! Equality! Equality!’” Adair told the Times. “We’re a modern-day society, so accept it. Don’t worry about what other people do.”

Los Angeles resident Kevin Ferguson also supported the wedding float, telling the Times, “You can’t put a timetable on another person’s freedom.”

The same sentiments for the couple weren’t as widely felt in the days leading up to the parade as commenters on the Tournament of Roses’ Facebook page debated the merits of including a same-sex wedding. 

A movement to boycott the parade as a result of the planned wedding emerged over social media. A Facebook page called "Boycott the 2014 Rose Parade” reached more than 8,000 likes, led by San Diego resident Karen Grube. The boycotters suggested that the marriage is offensive, using biblical defenses. 

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses has stood by its decision, saying that the float, sponsored by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, represents this year’s parade theme, “Dreams Come True,” according to the Associated Press.

With other floats sparking controversy during the parade as well, officials arrested 16 individuals including 15 adults and a juvenile, according to NBC Los Angeles

About 10 of the people arrested were attempting to stop a float sponsored by Sea World because protesters believe the marine mammal park has been covering up animal abuse. 

Details about whether those arrested were participants of the Sea World protest or the same-sex marriage protest are not immediately available. 

Staff Reporter Celeste Alvarez can be reached here or follow her on Twitter here.


 

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