San Antonio hosts the 2006 PrideFest

By The Democrat
The 25^th Annual PrideFest is now over. According to organizers estimates, the event attracted four to five thousand attendees. Held t HemisFair Park on Saturday, June 17^th, the weather was hot and humid. According to Dan Graney, former president of the Stonewall Democrats, the event was upbeat and festive.

It was reported that some attendees cooled off on the shady lawn while listening to the singers from the Pride Idol Contest. Controversy erupted last week when Radio Talk show Host Adam McManus condemned H-E-B for contributing $300 as a sponsor for the Pride Fest. McManus, along with numerous protesters, picketed the H-E-B store at the corner of 281 and 1604. His followers held signs that read, “H-E-B, read your Bible,” and Homosexuality is a sin."

According to Graney, “the Gay Community responded by e-mailing and phoning thank you messages to H-E-B customer relations offices all day Friday and into Saturday."
Graney pointed out, “to H-E-B’s credit, they refused to pull its sponsorship and issued a statement supporting diversity.”

Stonewall Democrats hosted a booth that registered 40 new voters in Bexar County. The San Antonio Young Democrats shared a booth with the Bexar County Democratic Party.

The Faces of PrideFest 2006, Hemisfair Park, June 17

Photos posted on Q San Antonio Website hosted by Sam Sanchez. Top photo from left to right: Cliff Walker, Cassandra Pena, Dee Villarubio, & Chris Garcia representing the Young Democrats.