Fargo holds first Pride parade
Associated Press


FARGO, N.D. - There were no floats, fire engines or marching bands, but an estimated 150 marchers, spanning two city blocks, took part in this city's first Pride parade.

Members and supporters of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community formed a historic line at noon Sunday in downtown Fargo.

"I'm incredibly happy," said Bob Uebel of the Pride Collective. "Even if we'd marched with 25 or 50 people, I'd still be happy. The thing was to do it."

The parade was a new addition to FM Pride, an annual gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community celebration now in its third year.


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Judge bars New Paltz mayor from marrying gay couples


KINGSTON, N.Y. (AP) _ A state Supreme Court judge on Monday permanently barred the mayor of New Paltz from marrying gay couples who do not have a license but left unanswered the question of whether same sex unions were constitutional.

Ulster County Supreme Court Justice Michael Kavanagh said the decision regarding who may marry in New York must be made by the state Legislature or the courts.

"The mayor by his office is obligated to comply with the law and abide by it," Kavanagh wrote. "A public officer may not question the constitutionality of a statute and refuse to comply with its provisions."

Mayor Jason West was sued after performing more than two-dozen same-sex weddings on Feb. 27, drawing this Hudson Valley village into the growing debate over same sex unions. Gay marriages began in Massachusetts on May 17, after the Supreme Judicial Court ruled it was unconstitutional to deny licenses to same-sex couples.