Long Island Pride Parade now more ‘family oriented’

Some grooved to the beat of pulsating house music, tossing beaded necklaces to giddy children on the sidewalk.

Others advocated for same-sex marriage, chanting, “Equality now!” and carrying banners promoting their cause.

Hundreds of marchers wound down Main Street in Huntington Sunday for the 19th annual Long Island Pride Parade, a celebration that drew more families and faith groups than divas in drag.

“We like that it’s more family-oriented,” said Lauren Malin, 26, of East Islip, who came with her partner, Angela Reteguiz, 26, and Malin’s niece Jade, 2, who is their goddaughter. “We can bring our niece and show her tolerance at an early age.”

Some 32 organizations represented diverse constituencies in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities – from churches and youth groups to service providers and gay law enforcement officers.

Five grand marshals led the parade, including the Long Island Community Fellowship, an interdenominational congregation that ministers to gays, and Outlook of Long Island, a gay publication.

Among the three individuals who also served as grand marshals were Juli Owens, who as chairwoman of the Long Island Transgender Advocacy Coalition is pushing for the passage of legislation to make transgender men and women a protected class under the law; and Bill Hahn, a board member of the Long Island Gay and Lesbian Film Festival who is active in other groups.

Like many participants and attendees, Hahn spoke of same-sex marriage as the civil rights issue of this generation. “There’s over 1,000 rights that married people get that gay union couples do not get,” he said. “It’s not a religious thing, it’s a civil thing.”

Eva Sanchez, a former parade director and longtime partner of the fifth grand marshal, who was named posthumously, has lived through that scenario.

When Rosie Sanchez was struck by a car near their Lindenhurst home last year, Eva ran to her aid and held her until she died.

When she tried to claim Rosie’s purse at the hospital, or make arrangements for her funeral, Sanchez found her word came second to Rosie’s mother’s, because the couple had not legally married.

“I went from loving partner of 22 years to stranger who needed permission every step of the way,” said Sanchez, 51. “That’s when it really hits home.”