Equality celebrated at Rocket City Pride

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) - The Tennessee Valley celebrated diversity and equality at the third-annual Rocket City Pride event.

People gathered in Downtown Huntsville Sunday to enjoy food, games, live entertainment and the chance to be social.

The festivities come less than two weeks after a third lawsuit was filed against the State of Alabama demanding same-sex marriages be recognized in the state. The American Civil Liberties Union filed the suit on behalf of a Birmingham couple, April and Ginger Aaron-Brush. The lawsuit seeks to have Alabama's ban on gay marriage declared unconstitutional and recognize marriages performed in other states.

In May, another lesbian couple filed sued the state wanting to be recognized as legal parents to their son. In February, a Montgomery man lost his partner in a car accident, and is challenging the state to recognize him as the surviving spouse.

Supporters said events like Rocket City Pride serve as a reminder of equality for all. They said they refuse to let legal issues dampen their spirits.

"It is extremely important to show the world and the United States that Huntsville is a premiere city in this nation, and we do celebrate and embrace diversity," said LGBT advocate James Robinson.

Robinson said he is proud to live in the Tennessee Valley.

"We are a compassionate city, and it is important for every person here – heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, transgender – to know that they are beautiful as individuals and they are welcome in this community and in our society."

Equality is something Robinson wants for everyone, regardless of race or sexual preference, and said his home is ready to embrace it.

"Alabama is ready for this," he said. "Alabama is ready to be recognized as a state that joins 26 other states that support marriage."

Earlier this week, Presbyterian church leaders declared gay marriage is Christian, and is allowing its ministers to preside at gay weddings.

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