I started marching in the parades in . . . oh, let's say 1971. I quit when I couldn't tolerate the commercialism and the opportunistic politicians. Besides, there wasn't any contingent with a message I had any interest in supporting. This year, however, there was a Solidarity Contingent here in Chicago. "We're here! We're queer! We're Socialists!" It was WONDERFUL. And my friend says I can have my Gay card back.