http://www.suntimes....-on-drinking.html


Attendance has doubled over the last three years — to roughly 800,000 a year ago. The parade has become a mandatory appearance for elected officials currying favor with the fast-growing, clout-heavy gay community. Friends and relatives of gay Chicagoans show up in force to support their loved ones.


Bingo. Scare the politicians into paying attention when they are shit on.

And BTW: Retailers, trip planners, real estate agents, etc, LOVE them. Typically they are professional DINKs so they have extra income for both local neighborhood upkeep and toys and trips. You want to buy into a neighborhood that will increase in value, buy into a new gay neighborhood that is being rehabbed.