Episcopal Press and News

Episcopalians Prominent in Los Angeles Gay Pride Parade

Episcopal News Service. July 30, 1992 [92165P]

Over 200 members of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles were among the 200,000 marchers at the West Hollywood gay pride parade on June 28. The Rt. Rev. Chester L. Talton, the diocese's suffragan bishop, became the first leader of a mainline denomination to participate in the annual event. The parade is California's largest after the Tournament of Roses Parade and the Hollywood Christmas Parade. In speaking of what he saw as the group's primary motivation for participating, the Rev. William McCord Thigpen, Diocesan Bishop Frederick H. Borsch's liaison to the gay and lesbian community, said, "There are many, many gay and lesbian people who have been spiritually damaged by their families and by the church who are in desperate need of knowing something of God's incredible grace and love."