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Suburbanites anticipate an 'awesome' Chicago Pride Parade

Four years ago, Joe Serio and Paul Dombrowski considered themselves fortunate to make their “tll death do us part” vows at a civil union ceremony, courtesy of a new Illinois law.

Today, the Palatine couple will mark the Supreme Court's legalization of gay marriage across all 50 states at a historic Chicago Pride Parade.

“There will still be struggles ... but this part of the fight is over,” Serio said Saturday. “We all can be together in the same place and celebrate victory.”

Dombrowski, a teacher, and Serio, a psychologist, volunteer for and will march with Pride Youth, a support group for LGBT students in north Cook and Lake counties.

With the Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling Friday, “Kids growing up now know it's possible to marry anyone you want,” Dombrowski said.

Courtney Christophe of Arlington Heights will walk in her third Pride Parade, and she predicts “(It) is going to be indescribable. The energy will be awesome. It's a great feeling to know I can go and get married in any state I want,” the 19-year-old lesbian said.

Micheal Austin Knapp, a transgender 20-year-old from Gurnee, said the decision “made me want to cry ... there's so many people I love and know who couldn't do this before.”

For suburbanites heading out to the parade, public transit is advised.

The event kicks off at noon in the Lakeview neighborhood. The route begins at Montrose and Broadway, then heads south along Broadway and Halsted, east on Belmont, south on Broadway and east on Diversey, ending around Cannon Drive and Fullerton.

Metra is adding two extra inbound and outbound trains to the BNSF Line. The CTA also is providing extra bus and rail service. The best stops to get off to catch the action are: On the Red Line — Addison, Belmont, Wilson or Sheridan stations; on the Brown Line — Belmont, Diversey or Wellington stations.

If you dare to drive, parking will be nonexistent near the venue, meaning your best bet would be to park near a CTA station in the Loop and catch a train.The parade is free and open to everyone, but pet owners and families are advised there will be excessive crowds, noise and heat, with temperatures expected to reach 79 degrees. Parents should be aware some of the fabulous outfits are not G-rated for the younger crowd.

The CTA warns paradegoers that Belmont is the most crowded section, but Broadway south of Montrose or streets near the Diversey and Wellington stations are less congested.

Serio, a veteran parade attendee, cautioned that the beginning and end of the route are most problematic.

Dombrowski and Serio had a civil union ceremony in 2011 and were among the first to be legally married in February 2014 after Illinois changed its law.

The Supreme Court's decree now “equals us all out,” Dombrowski said.

Serio was “transfixed” to his smartphone Friday viewing footage from the steps of the court.

“I was watching faces light up with all colors of the rainbow,” he said.

But the parade is more than a victory lap, advocates said.

Knapp's mother is coming to the parade — “She's very supportive.” But Knapp knows from the occasional hostile stare that “transgender rights are not completely there yet. There's still a lot to accomplish.”

“It would be easy to be lulled into a sense of complacency,” Serio said. “But there's lots to do in terms of gay rights.”

That means ensuring an end to employment and housing discrimination across the country, he said, and reaching out to LGBT youth who feel marginalized.

“There's still a tremendous amount of homeless youths thrown out of their homes when they come out,” Serio said. “My hope is the gay community doesn't take this as a sign to stop. There will be dark days ahead. But it's important to stop and celebrate our accomplishments.”

Joe Serio, left, and Paul Dombrowski kiss after their civil union ceremony in June 2011. The couple will march in the Chicago Pride Parade today. Courtesy of Joe Serio
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