David Byrne and his compatriots were right about many things, but today, 45 years after the release of their Life During Wartime anthem, the Heads might finally have been proven wrong. The world is certainly in a state of war—Ukraine-Russia; Israel-Hamas; Israel-Iran; North vs. South Korea; China-Russia-North Korea vs. United State; War in Darfur; Bolivian Coup; Macron vs. Marine Le Pen; and MAGA vs. Progressives. Yet, for several hours in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, people danced in the streets to pulsating disco music as 150 groups marched from the intersection at Sheridan—Broadway to the intersection at Diversey—North Lakeview Avenue.

The newspapers typically report that over a million people line the streets during Chicago’s perennial rainbow celebration. Whether the number is 500,000, a million, or two million doesn’t much matter. One way or another, throngs of people of all colors, shapes, stripes, and sexual persuasions come together for what has become Halloween in June.

This year’s parade marked the 54th. On June 27, 1970, 200 Chicagoans commemorated the first anniversary of the Stonewall riots with a march. The parade has always been about Gay rights, but over the years, that focus has become a bit diluted, as many treat the parade as an opportunity to celebrate their diversity and hard-won rights like same-sex marriage. Yet, given an increasingly conservative U.S. Supreme Court and the forces of MAGA continuing their efforts to Christianize the United States, many in the crowd are celebrating with watchful eyes.

The City asked the parade’s organizers to trim back the festivities in order to reduce police overtime. Consequently, the parade started at 11:00AM rather than 1:00PM; the route was shortened by five or six blocks, depending on how blocks are counted; and the number of groups participating was first reduced to 125, but then raised to 150 when several groups that had been excised complained.

[Click on an Image to Enlarge It. The Images Are Not Necessarily in Exact Chronological Order. Not Every Person Depicted Is a Pro-Palestinian Demonstrator]

My Vantage Point. For the last 30 years, I have lived four blocks from Halstead and Roscoe, which is best described as ground zero for Chicago’s Gay Community. Many Gays have moved further north to Andersonville, but the bar scene still runs along Halsted for six or seven blocks. I still refer to the neighborhood as Boystown, but in recent years, that term has gone out of favor because it is not inclusive enough.

Years ago, there were no barricades lining the parade route, so the parade was easy to photograph I typically headed to the assembly area a couple of hours before start time, permitting me to capture portraits. I would then take the ‘L’ down to Diversey, where I could photograph the performers and marchers as they exited the parade route.

Diversey is also where the Chicago Police Department sets up a barricaded ‘First Amendment’ area so that the Evangelical Christians can tell the marchers that Dante’s Inferno awaits them and their ‘sinful’ ways. ‘Circle 7 please,’ where the Sodomites are relegated (further down from those who murdered for gain and committed suicide: Dante deems sodomy an even greater affront to Nature than murder and self-destruction). Ah, to run on the burning plains for eternity. As offensive as these preachers from the south might be, they produced some great street theater as some of the celebrants take bait. About ten years ago I saw one earnest young man jump the barricade, ending in an arrest and tears in the back of a squad car. I was told he would released after the parade wrapped up.

Last year, I managed to snag press credentials from the organizers, but those proved largely worthless. The police kicked ordered me out of the street, so this year I didn’t bother with credentials. As usual, I headed to the assembly area 90 minutes before the parade “steps off the curb.” I found myself less than enthusiastic. The skies were shrouded in grey; there weren’t a lot of colorfully attired participants mugging for the cameras, and surprisingly, there was no driving disco beat in the air.

I did run into a photographer who had spotted a group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators at the Sheridan ‘L’ stop, so I headed in that direction to see what was happening. When I arrived, a man holding a Palestinian flag was directing people to the corner of Cuyler Avenue and Broadway, where the pro-Palestinian demonstrators were gathering. Off I went. Upon arrival, I found somewhere between 150 and 200 pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered around a large truck decked out with Palestinian and Pride flags. Singer and guitarist Adam Gottlieb was leading the group in song, with a big smile plastered across his face.

I use the term “pro-Palestinian demonstrators,” but I need to clarify the reference because the pro-Palestinian movement consists of two rather distinct groups. The first one includes people of Palestinian heritage. Many live a 90-minute drive west of Chicago in Bridgeview and the surrounding suburbs—referred to as Little Palestine. Some may have been present, but their leaders were not.

The other group includes Progressives, Leftists, members of Not In My Name and Jewish Voice for Peace, and college students. All were present. As I stood on a stepladder overlooking the crowd, I was reminded of the Grateful Dead’s performance on January 14, 1967 in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, as documented in the photographs of Jim Marshall. It was a gathering of the tribes.

The sun had come out, and the temperature was rising. Consequenlty, I decided I would photograph the Gay Pride Parade from the vantage point of the pro-Palestinian contingent. Doing so provided me with a focus that is in line with my activities over the last nine months—yes, nine months have now elapsed since October 7.

In practical terms, given the overtly political nature of the pro-Palestinian marchers, I figured that I might be able to march the entire parade route without CPD ordering me out of the street. With the pro-Palestinian forces, I didn’t need a cosplay costume, a bouquet of balloons, or a revealing set of leather chaps to blend in. As my images demonstrate, my calculation was spot on.

The Pertinent Question. Without intending to comment on the underlying merits of the dispute between Israel and the Palestinians, in my view, the pro-Palestinian forces should have remained on the sidelines today. Over the last nine months, there have been dozens of major pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Chicago garnering plenty of media attention. A major one is scheduled for July 4th. My preference is not to mix causes. Let the LGBQT+ Community have its day.

I, however, fully grasp the counterargument. The Gay Pride Parade is rooted in liberation from those in society who have oppressed the LGBQT+ Community since the days of Dante, so intersectionality (or Venn diagrams) warrants the pro-Palestinian forces hooking up with the LGBQT+ camp.

I was surprised given the reduced size of this year’s parade that the organizers gave the pro-Palestinian forces a coveted slot. Apparently, the Palestinians were among the 25 groups gaining admission when the allotted space was increased by 25 slots, so the organizers might initially have shared my view, but the organizers may have taken practicalities into account. Better to co-opt the pro-Palestinian forces than have them crash or otherwise disrupt the parade.

Turns out that the organizers made the right decision. Despite the pro-Palestinian being given a slot, a small group of demonstrators blocked the route at Broadway and Barry Avenue for nine minutes during the parade; they held a banner proclaiming, “9 minutes of Silence for 9 Months of Genocide.” The Chicago Sun-Times reports that police officers escorted the demonstrators off the street after nine minutes had elapsed. Imagine what might have happened had the pro-Palestinian forces been denied a slot.

Boredom Sets In. The newspapers and television stations make every parade look exciting, but for me (and I suspect many of the pro-Palestinian demonstrators) boredom took hold as we stood and mingled for 90+ minutes in the assembly area. With just 200 demonstrators, there are only so many photographs waiting to be captured. Just as there are only so many songs to sing and chants to repeat.

At one point, the organizers had everyone line up, ordering the those in charge of the lead banners to the front of the assembly. But it was a false alarm. A rumor then circulated that the pro-Palestinian forces might not be allowed to march after all. I asked one of the organizers whether that was true. In no uncertain terms, he told me that they would march whether permitted to do so or not. Spoken like a true pro-Palestinian demonstrator. As I’ve quipped before, never get between a Palestinian demonstrator and a roadway.

And so I waited like everyone else. People sat in the shade with their backs against the walls lining the sidewalk. Thankfully, the vendors were out. A guy with a hot dog cart was doing quite the business, as were two Paleteros (ice cream vendors wheeling or riding carts).

After another 30 minutes, as I gazed into the distance, I could see the groups in front of the pro-Palestinian demonstrators moving into position. At that point, those holding the lead banners also lined up. Within minutes, we were off, headed into the cyclone-fence chute that had been erected at the corner of Sheridan and Broadway to keep the crowd from converging into the street.

The Right Decision. The folks who organized the pro-Palestinian demonstration made what is best described as a pitch-perfect decision. Even though the group brought up the rear, the throngs lining the street enthusiastically greeted the marchers. The pro-Israeli forces should be concerned. The spectators joined in the chants, waved, and cheered.

From my standpoint, the day had done a 180-degree turn; I was no longer bored—anything but. Even though I was just a neutral photographer, I found myself enthralled by the crowd, caught up in the energy emanating from behind the barricades.

Yes, the organizers had made the right decision. While several of the spectators held anti-Biden and pro-Palestinian signage, I suspect the vast majority of those lining the parade route had never been to a pro-Palestinian demonstration. Many may have given the conflict in the Middle East only a passing thought. The organizers had successfully imprinted their message on the minds of what might be new converts.

As For the Parade. The parade as a Pride event was once again a smashing success. People were having a great time, displaying their diversity in a welcoming environment. I missed seeing the politicians go by, as well as the motorbikes roaring down the street. But I thoroughly enjoyed the unique perspective I gained by walking down the center of the street from the start to the finish line. Maybe next year I will walk with anti-circumcision contingent. Who knows what insights I might gain into my own psyche?

While security was tight and very visible, CPD and the other security services maintained a low-key presence. As I walked home along the parade route, I was impressed by how quickly the City cleaned the streets and removed the barricades.

Oddly, the Evangelical Christian forces appear to have thrown in the towel. When I passed by the group, there were only two protesters visible. I don’t even think the police had set up protective barricades. So much for easy street theater that in the past has resulted in some great images.

Hopefully, the pro-Palestinian forces will not need to demonstrate next year. Just maybe the war between Israel and Hams will be settled, but I wouldn’t count on it.

Finally, a shout out to the organizers of the pro-Palestinian effort. They used wireless microphones that did not cover the faces of the singers. Perfect for portraits.

For a Complete Set of Images, Including Many Not Included Here, Visit, http://www.jacksiegelphoto.com

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