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2006 Pride not prejudice, Diversity not division

Macy’s window display controversy

“The Pride Committee can eat my pickled ass.” – Hedda Lettuce, drag performer

A steady rain fell on the marchers and reduced turnout, but the size of the crowd still exceeded 100,000. At the post-parade festivities, drag performer Hedda Lettuce was asked to clean up her act, as there were children present. Hedda did not take kindly to the suggestion and lashed out at Pride (see comment above).

On a more serious note, Pride received death threats that were turned over to police.

Macy’s department store included a schedule of Pride events in its window, eliciting strong negative reactions from some homophobes, who left messages on the Pride answering machine.

Parade Marshals

Grand Marshal: The Network La Red
Parade Marshals: Chris Robinson, Moving Violations Motorcycle Club, ACLU of Massachusetts
Honorary Marshal: Alan Turing

Festival/Concert Entertainers

Headliner – Legendary pop and dance diva, Shannon; Billboard Favorite Reina; hosted by award winning drag queen, Hedda Lettuce

Block Party DJs

Pride Block Party – DJ Tracy Young and DJ JST

The original display in Macy's window, with two Male mannequins, one wearing a skirt, along side the 2006 Boston Pride logo and dates of events
Macy’s Downtown Crossing Department Store in Boston caved to conservative group MassResistance (formerly Article 8 Alliance) and removed two mannequins from a Gay Pride display after complaints from the group that the display was offensive. The display was designed by Macy’s with approval of the Boston Pride Committee.[1]
The Macy's window display, without the two male mannequins, one wearing a skirt, along side the 2006 Boston Pride logo and dates of events

2006 Boston Pride Photo Galleries

Click on the buttons below to view the event photo gallery. Note: You will be taken to the Boston Pride Smugmug Website

JP Block Party
Sun. June 6, 2006
JP Block Party
LGBTQ Historical Highlights
  • Governor Romney scuppers the Commission on G/L Youth after having disbanded the Governor’s Task Force on Hate Crimes previously. The Hate Crimes Task Force shifts to volunteer labor to write up an anti-bullying guide for schools.[1]
  • The Romney Administration decides not to publish the anti-bullying guide produced by the Hate Crimes Task Force because it includes material about bullying of bisexual and transgender youth[1]
  • Strong supporter of marriage equality Deval Patrick is elected Governor of the Commonwealth[1]
Event Details

Date: June 10, 2006

Theme: Pride not prejudice, Diversity not division

Organized by: The Boston Pride Committee, Inc.

Parade Route

START – Copley Sq., Boylston St., Right on Clarendon St., Left on Tremont St., Left on Berkeley St., Right on Boylston St., Left on Charles St.,  END – Boston Common

References:
[1] The 2015 Boston Pride Guide 45th Anniversary – #WickedProud
[1] Towlroad Website Macy’s Removes Gay Mannequins After Wingnuts Complain
[2] A LGBTQ Historical Timeline, Compiled by Attorney Don Gorton of the Boston Pride Stonewall Committee