These things generally don't get political, do they?
Meaning: It's a parade, not a protest march....right?
There was a day, for gays, when marching was political. I was there. In theory, they are supposed to be both a display of the community and make a political statement (for they traditionally end with a rally, for example, in Piedmont Park in Atlanta at one time, that took on any number of political issues. Frequently there were presentations and speakers; in some towns, there were debates the week before).
Also, there was a day when dancing was political -that was slightly before my time. To get the gist of what I'm talking about, I recommend finding the movie
Stonewall.
I feel like a lot of folks in our community have lost touch with that. The more we become part of the mainstream, the more they become either displays of the local neighborhood association or social group (whoohoo East Atlanta Gayborhood Association; Lipstick Lesbian Mallwalkers, and so on!) and walking adverts for local gay bars. Now, in larger cities or smaller ones with a larger gay population this can work - my best friend (the dj in my signature) is also the owner of an Optometry Practice in Long Beach, CA. He sometimes uses the march to advertise his services - this year, he rode in the parade in LB using his music to lead a group of flaggers.
Then there's the other extreme - you know, with the local BDSM float that is chugging black smoke and breaks down in front of First Baptist Church (true story - that happened in 1996 in Atlanta on Sunday around noon just as church let out - it was funny) and the go-boys not far out, with the local Crystal Meth Anonymous group who we all know has collectively decided to take a weekend holiday just to "keep up their energy" for the march.
With all that is going on, at least right now where I live (NC where we're facing the results of Amendment One right now), where our communities are so fragmented across our state - I'm not sure the parade idea really works that well. In cities where the paragraph above happens, that just gives our opponents cannon fodder, and in the paragraph before, it's kinda boring, although the market (where all that comes together with vendors and groups that present but don't march, and there are speakers and stuff) is kinda fun. I guess what I'm saying is I think, unless we need to protest something, I'd rather go to a festival of some kind, not a parade.
And this thread isn't bad...most everyone has given intelligent and positive input. 
