The Gay Asian Pacific Alliance (GAPA) and a broad coalition of supporters featured children of gay couples and church groups at this yearÂ’s annual, "Chinese New Year Parade" celebration this Saturday, March 3, 2007 in downtown Chinatown, San Francisco.

GAPA’s float featured a 6-ft globe encircled by rainbow-colored hearts that illuminates the 5 countries which have legalized same-sex marriage (the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, South Africa, and Spain). Six Asian same-sex couples and children will be wearing traditional, wedding attire from various Asian cultures. They will be surrounded by dozens of families, church groups, members of clergy and marriage equality supporters. Marchers will be dressed in festive, red ponchos emblazoned with Chinese characters that illustrate support for marriage equality.

"In this yearÂ’s parade, GAPA wishes to send the message that Love Has No Boundaries," said Robert Bernardo, GAPA President. "As we celebrate the Chinese New Year, we want to show that everyone deserves the freedom to marry, raise a family, and live a long happy and prosperous life."

GAPA’s theme this year is, "Love Without Boundaries," and the GAPA float will showcase how the Chinese embrace same-sex couples as part of the global family. Last year’s float featured a gay family tree—family, picket fence, and a dog. Two years ago, it was a gay wedding cake. The San Francisco Chinese New Year celebration originated in the 1860's during the Gold Rush and is now the largest Asian event outside of Asia. This year is "The Year of the Golden Boar: Year 4705" and highlights include acrobats and the Golden Dragon ("Gum Lung").

"Many Asian families and religious leaders strongly support gay marriage," said parade organizer Clarence Wong. "GAPAÂ’s coalition supports marriage equality because we believe that same-sex marriage is a fundamental civil and human right. Asians are indeed a progressive community that cares about all types of families."

The parade float and contingent was made possible by a grant from the Horizons Foundation, and was also sponsored by the Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center, Chinese for Affirmative Action, National Center for Lesbian Rights, California Assemblymember Mark Leno, Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry, Our Family Coalition, and the Gay Asian Pacific Alliance.

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