Why IN?
Because It’s Time
We believe that now, more than ever, it’s time to come IN. Coming IN is not about trying to gain acceptance or approval. Nor is it about changing anything about yourself. To be IN, you do not even have to part of the LGBT community. Because being IN is about being human. It's about inclusion.
IN Is the New OUT
In the LGBT community we often talk about "coming OUT" and "being OUT." To come OUT is to tell the world (friends, family, co-workers, neighbors) that you are queer (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, questioning). Telling the world that you are queer and living life as a queer individual is both a political statement and a personal act of empowerment.
But the whole notion of coming OUT implies that we make a conscious decision to exist, if only just in part, in a different space from everybody else. Under this paradigm, why wouldn't the world see us differently? Instead, why not imagine a world where no one has to come OUT because everyone is IN to begin with.
You Don't Have to be "Gay" to be IN
If you believe that we are all IN this together, that everyone deserves the same rights and privileges as the IN group, that no one has the right to dictate which relationships get legally recognized or sanctioned, that being IN the parade is a good first step but only one of the many steps it's going to take before the promise of our constitution to grant equal civil rights to all citizens is realized – if you believe this then baby, you’re IN.
And we're glad you're here.
LGBT representation in inaugural parades: a short history
The 2009 parade marked the first time an OUT contingent has MARCHED in a Presidential Inaugural Parade. After the 1992 and 1996 elections, a lesbian/gay contingent was invited to perform on the sidewalk before and during the parade. Their performances were not part of the televised events that day. There were no lesbian/gay contingents in either of George W. Bush's inaugural parades.
History was made!
For the first time in America’s history, an openly-LGBT contingent marched in a Presidential Inaugural Parade! Check out the video above to see the Lesbian/Gay Band Association (LGBA) as they performed for President Obama and the First Lady on January 20, 2009. Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen.
One Unforgettable Moment
on One Unforgettable Day
“I marched in the parade as a representative of every LGBT person and family in America and around the world, as well as for all of the wonderful allies and supporters who share our dream of equal civil rights under the law,” said Paula Grace, flutist and co-organizer of In The Parade. “When we passed the Presidential reviewing stand, the President, First Lady, and Vice President stood smiling, waving, and applauding us. They did not stop for one moment. The First Lady rocked out a little to our rendition of the Washington Post march!
“I had my eyes glued on them and almost couldn't play my flute, first because I was smiling so much and then because tears came into my eyes. It may not seem like a lot to have a band in a parade, but we made a statement today and the whole world was watching. We are finished hiding our light under a bushel. We've come out of the closet and into the parade, and we're not going back.”