LGBT Groups Join Tet Parade
By Chad Ratner
When four LGBT organizations announced they would participate in Westminster’s Vietnamese New Year’s Parade, religious leaders objected. Although the Tet parade has taken place in Little Saigon for the past three years, this is the first time any LGBT organizations have been included. The controversial organizations included: Song That Radio, the Vietnamese Gay Alliance, O-Moi, and the Vietnamese Lesbian and Bisexual Women Network and Friends. Marchers from The Center OC and PFLAG joined the Vietnamese groups in the parade. The thought of participation by gay groups sparked a protest and boycott from the Catholic Church and the Vietnamese Interfaith Council of America, which led the Knights of Columbus to withdraw from the parade.
Councilman Andy Quach sent a statement to all Vietnamese newspapers to express his personal opposition of the LGBT groups’ presence but regretted he could not do anything to prevent the groups from participating.
In a show of support, Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), Courage Campaign, and Equality California (EQCA) sent out “e-blasts” urging community members to attend and show support for the LGBT organizations.
And come they did.
The parade began at Bolsa Avenue and proceeded down Magnolia Avenue. Little Saigon is home to the largest population of Vietnamese, outside of Vietnam, and it was estimated that more than 90 groups and approximately 2,000 people participated in the parade. Some people came from out of state and even out of the country to enjoy the Tet celebration.
The national anthem for Vietnam followed the U.S. national anthem, and a statement was read over a loudspeaker: “We will not forget those who have died and those who have immigrated to the United States seeking freedom and democracy.”
A group of military personnel from various countries and branches of the Armed Forces led the parade. Bright and colorful dragon costumes peppered the procession, and members of the United Vietnamese Student Association passed out flower-shaped lollipops to children seated along the parade route.
Martial arts demonstrations took place during the parade and included: Tom Vo’s Taekwondo Academy, Jin Pal Hapkido Academy, the General Association for the Development of World Martial Arts and Spring Winds Kung Fu.
Several politicians and local representatives participated in the parade, among them California Assemblyman Jose Solorio, District Attorney Tony Rackauckas, Sen. Lou Correa, Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, City Council members Harry Sidhu, Tri Ta, Tyler Diep and Andrew Do; Mayor Margie L. Rice, Mayor Pro Tem Frank Fry -; City Manager Don Lamm, and Rep. Loretta Sanchez.
Before the LGBT groups began their march, a prepared statement was read: “Because we are part of the Vietnamese community we feel that LGBT people have the right to join our families and fellow Vietnamese in celebration of Tet. There is no better time to be united with our families and within the Vietnamese community.”
Boos and cheers greeted the groups as they passed by parade observers and carried flags representing Vietnam, the United States and gay pride.
A small group of anti-gay protesters was visibly present — a man from Hope Church in Hermosa Beach carried a wooden cross that read “He Is Coming” and walked into the middle of the parade path before being diverted by police.
Musical acts included the La Quinta Marching Aztecs, the Santiago Marching Cavaliers and the Bolsa Grande Marching Matadors.
The Tet Festival began after the parade ended and took place in Garden Grove Park, which was filled with carnival games, rides and entertainment. Yumi Hirata of EQCA and Dawn Logue of Courage Campaign took the opportunity to connect with the Vietnamese community and discuss LGBT issues. While some volunteers spoke in Vietnamese and others in English, the message was universal: We are here, we are your family members, we deserve equal rights and we will not be silenced!