The United States Navy Region Southwest has given the green light for active-duty Navy servicemembers under its command to wear their uniforms in the San Diego LGBT Pride Parade on Jul. 13.
For the third year, servicemembers are invited to proudly don their uniforms while participating in the Military Contingent that leads the Pride Parade through the streets of Hillcrest.
This year, organizers expect more than 300 servicemembers to partake in the parade, either in uniform or wearing a branch-specific T-shirt. The parade runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. along 6th Avenue.
This inclusion of Navy uniforms follows a historic week of marriage equality victories, as same-sex marriages return to California.
Given San Diego’s standing as a military city, parade organizers believe it’s important for LGBT servicemembers to be able to march and express their pride in uniform.
“San Diego has a strong military presence and a large LGBT community, and it is important to our LGBT servicemembers that we honor their full identity and service to our country,” said Stephen Whitburn, San Diego LGBT Pride general manager. “We are grateful to the Navy Region Southwest command for extending their support to our event and to these courageous servicemembers.”
Per the authorization, Region Southwest members of the Navy (officer or CPO) can wear their Summer White or Service Khaki uniforms. E-1 through E-6 servicemembers can wear their Service Dress White or Service Uniform.
To register for the Military Contingent, visit this website.
Organizers will host an informational session for participating servicemembers ages 21 and older on Jul. 11 at Bourbon Street Bar & Grill on Park Boulevard at 6 p.m.
For more details about San Diego Pride – including this year’s appropriately titled theme, “Freedom to Love and Marry” – click here.
