Chicago celebrates marriage equality at Pride Parade

CHICAGO (WLS) -- There was a celebration in the streets Sunday and about a million people grabbed a spot along the route for the first Gay Pride Parade since Illinois legalized gay marriage.

What may be a record-breaking crowd, organizers say it is a far cry from Chicago's first pride parade 45 years ago when about 150 people marched down a sidewalk.

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Celebrating marriage equality combined with beautiful weather made for a very crowded parade route.

The parade is over, but not the feeling of pride. The celebration continued into the evening. For Cassie Vercillo, it was her first Pride Parade.

"I liked it, I liked all the craziness," she said.

While a little craziness is expected, this year's parade had a very different feel, as a million people came out to celebrate marriage equality in Illinois.

"We have come so far so quickly and it has come to a head this year, people celebrated," said parade coordinator Richard Pfeiffer.

Several same-sex couples celebrated by getting married on a float. Already married, Charlie Gunion and David Wilk were the first gay couple to tie the knot in Illinois.

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"We didn't think it would be any better than day we got married, but today is amazing," Gunion said.

As the Pride Parade has grown over the years, so has the number of entries, floats and politicians. With so many elections coming up, 60 lawmakers marched in the parade, including Governor Pat Quinn, who signed the marriage equality into law, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Cook County President Tony Preckwinkle. And while some Republicans were notably absent, others, like State Rep. Tom Cross was invited to come.

"I'm excited to be here," Cross said. "I voted for equality bill, I thought it was the right vote."

While marriage equality was the star of the parade, the crowds always enjoy the more traditional entries, including the ABC7 Eyewitness News float.

With hot weather combined with a record-breaking crowd, leaving the parade was a challenge. Many ambulances were called for parade-goers who needed medical assistance. But overall, the parade left many same sex couples with a big sense of pride.

"This is a very good occasion, today we get to be free and open," said Sadeatra Davis.

While there was a lot to celebrate, parade organizers say they will continue to fight for marriage equality in other states. Illinois is only the 19th state to legalize same sex marriage.

Meanwhile, with a crowd of a million, police say they only made eight arrests, including damage to a police car.