Two words say it all: change happened.
Joy was in the air Saturday afternoon as hundreds of members and supporters of Vancouver’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community, as well as a few curious onlookers, gathered at Esther Short Park, some proudly wearing those two words on their shirts.
It’s been a year of whirlwind changes for the LGBT community. They included Washington’s passage of a voter-approved referendum legalizing marriages for the state’s 17,000 same-sex couples and a U.S. Supreme Court ruling mandating federal equality for legally married gay couples.
At the 19th annual Saturday at the Park event, it was celebration time.
“Everybody is happy now,” said
Corey Eubanks, a Vancouver-based real estate agent. “Even now, around town, I see more same-sex couples walking around holding hands. They’re more comfortable.”
Dressed in rainbow tutus and matching leis, a group of 16 participants of the Lyle’s Myles Run/Walk gathered near the park’s gazebo, having just finished the 5K fun run. The event raises money for local and international HIV and AIDS programs. There are an estimated 400 people with HIV or AIDS in Clark County, said Lyle Smith, the 79-year-old organizer of the fundraiser, which partners with Saturday in the Park.
