Instagram posts from Aurora's first ever gay pride parade

Thousands lined the streets of downtown Aurora on Sunday as the state's second largest city held its very first gay pride parade.

“For the first time LGBTQ people in the western suburbs have a pride celebration,” organizer Gwyn Ciesla told ChicagoPride.com.

The parade featured 60 colorful entries, a limit set by the city, along a half-mile route. Participants included gay-straight alliances, LGBTQ groups, bands, businesses, dancers, politicians and faith organizations. HRC Chicago and Lakeside Pride represented Chicago.

Gov. Bruce Rauner joined in the kick-off festivities, as did representatives from Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker's campaign. The parade grand marshal was Jim Corti, the artistic director at the Paramount Theatre.

The Inaugural Pride Parade, hosted by Indivisible Aurora, was officially approved by the Aurora City Council in March.

The 49th annual Chicago Pride Parade is scheduled for Sunday, June 24 at noon.

(Feature photo from Invisible Aurora/Facebook. Instagram photos used with permission)

Brittney Borowicz

Brittney Borowicz is an integrated marketing professional with a strong communications background specializing in journalism, public relations and social media. Originally from the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Brittney has spent the past few years working with entrepreneurs and small start-ups in the Chicagoland area to enhance their marketing and social media efforts. Prior to her current role as the marketing manager for a computer networking company, Brittney realized her affinity for all things media and marketing while working in radio and television and as a professional presenter. Later, she began working at a couple of small marketing agencies as a Public Relations and Sales Director and Account Manager, which required her to be well versed in coordinating specialized public and media relations strategies, creative marketing initiatives and cohesive sales process implementations. As a strong believer in intimate consumer/brand involvement, Brittney helps her clients create content that engages and educates brand audiences while establishing each client as a thought leader in their industry. Personal Details: > B.S. Broadcast Journalism, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign > Member of Social Media Club Chicago and Toastmasters International > Fan of all things food and wine

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