From Planet Out, a leading source for Lesbian & Gay News online

SUMMARY: This year's "ID4" brought a different kind of "invasion" -- they're not from outer space, they're your gay and lesbian neighbors!

 Coming hot on the heels of the anniversary of Stonewall, Fourth of July observances are also often a time for gay and lesbian visibility. (In fact, students of U.S. gay and lesbian history will recall that gays and lesbians began holding an annual demonstration for civil rights in front of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia in 1965, four years before Stonewall.) Here are just a few instances of some very mellow celebrations: 

Lexington, Kentucky more often brings to mind mountain men than drag queens, but this was the tenth year that the Royal Sovereign Imperial Court of All Kentucky was a highlight of the city's annual Fourth of July Parade. The drags rode atop a red convertible and were ready with an umbrella when rain began to fall. In truly imperial fashion, they waved, received dollar bills from the cheering crowd, and accepted free drinks from a gay bar along the route. The group raised more than $6,000 for local charities in the last year. 

Champaign-Urbana, Illinois' gala Fourth of July Parade had 106 contingents, including for the 15th year a l/g/b/t unit. It was the biggest yet at 61, perhaps because the newly-formed local chapter of Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (P-FLAG) was included for the first time. The local two-year-old community center, OutPost, organized the group and provided a float celebrating gay and lesbian professionals. The Amasong women's chorus sang as they walked. In past years there had been violence and threats from some spectators, but this year the occasional loud-mouthed individual was easily drowned out by the marchers' whistles and chants. A picnic and the chance to watch a fireworks display ended the day in traditional fashion. [Thanks to Richard Mohr.] 

San Francisco, California celebrated with a first-time event dubbed "The Ol' Fashioned Fourth of July Alternative Family Picnic," designed specifically for l/g/b/t parents and their children, co-sponsored by the Family Alternative Project and the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. Family activities included face-painting, hat-making, puppet-making, a jumping castle, and a hula hoop contest. Parents had the chance to pick up literature on artificial insemination, adoption and parenting clubs, while a live band played Dixieland. A total of about 500 mothers, fathers and children participated. Mayor Willie Brown presented a proclamation making the date "Alternative Family Project Day."