Marching in the Big Parade

Greetings all,

It was such a big deal for the Lesbian and Gay Band Association (LGBA) Band to be part of the Inaugural parade yesterday. Most of the long day yesterday was spent sitting on buses, but we did get to march. Many things to share about it but here's the basics.

Two of the leaders of the group attended a tedious meeting on Monday afternoon to review parade procedures with the military folks who run the parade. After the meeting a number of the military folks came up to the two LGBA folks and thanked them (us) for being part of the parade. Our director said that he could tell they wanted to say more - but could not.

We pulled up to the Pentagon in four buses with a small, but visible sign (like every other bus), but ours read - Lesbian and Gay Band Association. We were the gay band and all the military folks around there knew it.

When we lined up at the Ellipse prior to stepping off and making our way up to start of the parade we warmed up and played our tunes, like every other band. Our leaders had chosen two Sousa marches, Beethoven's Ode to Joy, Brand New Day from The Wiz, and Hold on I'm Comin' But it was the high school band from New Hampshire that was playing Strike Up the Band and Over the Rainbow.

Several times along a mostly empty parade route the announcers echoed our name - "Marking their first appearance in an Inaugural parade, the Lesbian and Gay Band Association - a network of Gay and Lesbian concert and marching bands from across the country. The military folks who lined the parade route saluted the American flag we carried as well as the Pride flag that marched along side it.

When we got to the White House the drum majors gave three whistles, the drums rolled off and we played The Washington Post March by Sousa. President and Mrs. Obama were standing in the well-lit booth along with Vice President and Mrs. Biden. Because of the lighting they looked huge inside the reviewing stand. They clapped along with the music and smiled and waved.

We finished our song and kept going to get to our buses. There were many people along Pennsylvania Avenue that had waited to watch and hear, so we played for them and they cheered us on.

When we finally got back to our buses and put instruments away we started checking our phones. Almost everyone had phone calls and text messages from friends and family. We were seen all over the country on CSPAN, MSNBC, Fox, CNN and others.

While it was a personally moving moment - believe me - we marched for everyone of our Lesbian and Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer and Questioning brothers and sisters. And we had some of our straight friends marching with us too! Our ages ranged from 20 years old to 76 years old, we marched black, white, latina/o, asian of all varieties. It was a humble moment to represent all of us and to be seen and heard.

Here's a link to what was on C-Span - http://www.tippytopple.com/LGBA_Inauguration.mp4

Peace to all!