First Ever Watsonville Gay Pride a Huge Success

Sunday marked the first ever city of Watsonville, California gay pride parade.

The parade marched down Main St. to the downtown plaza. It was also the kick-off for other festivities including a fashion show, folklorico dancers, and testimony by GLBT community members about their experiences with coming out.

The city’s Mayor, Kimberly Peterson was on hand with a proclaimation for the day from the City of Watsonville.

Event organizers said the awareness of people’s differences was key to Sunday’s event, noting the Hispanic community is “20 years behind in being able to step forward and say it is ok to be gay and we support you.”

Another scope of the event was to promote awareness of Proposition 8. Gay rights advocates were asking for a “No” vote with the goal of keeping same-sex marriage legal.