Auburn Citizen Advertiser
June 24, 1973
NEW YORK (AP) – Thousands of brightly dressed homosexuals and sympathetic followers paraded through Manhattan amid smiles, kisses and waves.
It raised only a few eyebrows.
I’m amazed and astounded remarked spectator Tony Geraffo of East Brunswick, N.J. during Sunday’s march. But that’s the way they want to live and that s all right with me’
The parade from Central Park West to Seventh Avenue to Washington Square celebrated the fourth annual “Gay Liberation Day” with buttons, banners and balloons.
Men, women and a few children took part in the festivities as marchers chanted ‘Out of the closets and into the streets’ and’ Two, four, six. eight, we don’t overpopulate.’
Police estimated that 3,000 persons took advantage of the sunny weather and participated in the celebration. There were no reports of disturbances.
The mild surprise and wide-eyed stares of some out-of-town viewers and tourists contrasted with the apathetic live-and-let live reaction displayed by many local spectators.
They’ll never believe this back in Dallas, commented a teenage girl from Texas. I never imagined such a thing, Japanese biologist admitted.
But a watchman on Seventh Avenue observed, to each his own. And another bystander at a cafe near 24th Street concluded, Nothing shocks me anymore
At the windup rally in Greenwich Village’s Washington Square Park, speakers read telegrams of support from Reps. Herman Badillo of the Bronx and Bella Abzug of Manhattan, both Democrats. Also, the “ straight Nixon administration was criticized.
A variety of singers, including pop star Bette Midler, entertained during a rally in Washington Square following the parade.
