Scroll To Top
World

A Look at the Macy's Thanksgiving Gay Parade

A Look at the Macy's Thanksgiving Gay Parade

1spongebob
lucasgrindley
Support The Advocate
We're asking for your help to continue our newsroom's important reporting. Support LGBTQ+ journalism by contributing today!

Updated at 9:30 p.m. PT

Actor Harvey Fierstein is credited for first doing it in 2003 (thanks to a reader for finding the old clip). But when men in drag performed as part of this year's big Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, they actually had a rival for the annual event's gayest moment.

The cast from Broadway's Priscilla, Queen of the Desert added a shot of camp to the parade, which is usually at its most outrageous when the Rockettes kick up their heels in lurid unison.

Then ice skating star (and a LOGO reality TV personality) Johnny Weir stirred up the crowd in front of Herald Square, arriving on an oversized rocking horse, confetti blowing in the air, while being announced to television viewers as a "winter monarch."

James Dobson of Focus on the Family once claimed SpongeBob SquarePants was sending subliminal gay messages to unsuspecting kid viewers, and so the cartoon sponge's repeat appearance in the national Thanksgiving parade might have been enough to alarm some on the right wing.

When Fierstein used his role as Edna in Hairspray to dress as Mrs. Claus, the parade authorities were quick to point out it's not a political event, just entertaining. But others pointed to the moment as a signal of mainstream culture's acceptance of the LGBT community. Have we taken a few more steps in 2011? Check out both of the moments in the few homemade clips we found on YouTube.



lucasgrindley
30 Years of Out100Out / Advocate Magazine - Jonathan Groff & Wayne Brady

From our Sponsors

Most Popular

Latest Stories

Lucas Grindley

Lucas Grindley is VP and Editorial Director for Here Media, which is parent company to The Advocate. His Twitter account is filled with politics, Philip Glass appreciation, and adorable photos of his twin toddler daughters.
Lucas Grindley is VP and Editorial Director for Here Media, which is parent company to The Advocate. His Twitter account is filled with politics, Philip Glass appreciation, and adorable photos of his twin toddler daughters.