The Freedom Day Committee, organizers of Seattle's annual GLBT Pride March and Freedom Rally, has announced the grand marshals for this year's Pride parade. Each year, the FDC selects a female grand marshal, a male grand marshal and an organizational grand marshal. This year's grand marshals are the owners of The Wildrose (Karen Finn, Martha Manning, and Shelly Brothers), Rep. Ed Murray and Families Like Ours, respectively.
Karen Finn, Martha Manning and Shelly Brothers own The Wildrose, located on East Pike St. and 11th Avenue. Established on New Year's Day 1985, the Wildrose serves as the meeting place for local lesbians, and is a welcoming resource to those passing through town. Over the years it has also become the community gathering space for local art, nonprofit fundraisers and local talent. Each of these women came on board over the last three years, they continued to honor the Wildrose's history and position as a Seattle institution. Their mission statement is simple: to be a place for women, but all are welcome.
Representative Ed Murray represents Seattle's 43rd District (which includes Capitol Hill, First Hill, Eastlake and the University District). As an openly gay member of the state Legislature, Murray fights for equal rights for members of the LGBT community. Recent legislative victories include passage of a domestic partner benefits bill and the Safe Schools bill.
Organizational grand marshals Families Like Ours educates, advocates and provides information, resources and support to pre-adoptive and adoptive families, with a focus on GLBT families. All programs are in place for gay, lesbian and other non-traditional adoptive families.
Services and programs are specifically designed to work with families, regardless of orientation, gender, race, age, family structure, disability or ethnic background. You can visit them on the Web at www.familieslikeours.org.
Seattle Pride 2003 takes place Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29, under the theme "Families We Make."
More information can be found on the Freedom Day Committee Web site at www.seattlepride.org or by calling 324-0405.
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