The parade originally started to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the most important event in the history of the gay rights movement. The 44th Annual Pride Parade kicks off from Broadway and Montrose on Chicago's North Side and will end near the intersection of Diversey Parkway and Sheridan Road in Lincoln Park. Wade Davis, a former NFL football player and nationally recognized speaker, activist, writer and educator will be this year's Grand Marshal. This year, ABC 7's Ben Bradley, Ryan Chiaverini, Jessica D'Onofrio, Michelle Gallardo, Evelyn Holmes, Leah Hope, Eric Horng, Ron Magers, Karen Meyer, Hosea Sanders, Rafer Weigel and Linda Yu are scheduled to appear in the parade via ABC 7 Chicago's float. 'This is an important event to showcase the contributions of Chicago's LGBT community and one of my favorite events to host.'
'I am always proud of the fact that ABC 7 is the first and only television station to broadcast the Pride Parade,' said Janet Davies, host of the event.
The actual parade took place on Sunday, June 30, and drew a record-breaking one million people. Terri Hemmert, from WXRT Radio Chicago, will once again join Davies in the broadcast booth to help co-host the parade. Hosted by ABC 7's Janet Davies, this is the tenth year ABC 7 Chicago has covered the parade.
