McConnell: Those first years were celebrations. That’s what I’ve always loved about Pride, feeling that web of connection. The political component was still there, but it was fun, it became a celebration, a time to socialize, see old friends and make new ones. Paul as a place to try to win the repeal of an early gay rights ordinance.Īnyone who was a Target City Coalition regular was duty bound to help out with Pride, which had been more like a march and a protest rally, and then it evolved. I got involved because my old boyfriend Bob Bruneau became the treasurer of Target City Coalition, a 1970s activist group formed to combat antigay crusader and orange juice spokester Anita Bryant. It wasn’t just one focus.Ĭlaude Peck: It was all very grassroots. There was a lesbian resource center at that time and some very brave women held it and we marched for all social causes. Meadow Muska: Many lesbians, we had been marching for everybody - for children who are hungry, Native American rights, African American rights.
