GAY Great American Freedom Band march on DC commemorative badge, 10/14/‘79

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GAY Great American Freedom Band march on DC commemorative badge, 10/14/‘79.
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Originally called the Great American Yankee Freedom Band of Los Angeles, the all-volunteer organization was founded in 1978 to lead the annual Gay Pride Parade.  The band also opened the eyes of the broader community by performing in many local straight parades: the use of the phrase “Great American Yankee,” allowed the group to sneak into these events without being recognized as an LGBT band.  Not until the bass drum passed by with the words arranged vertically on the drumhead, highlighting the “G. A. Y.” acronym, did the realization strike parade watchers! The group performed locally, nationally, and internationally in concert, at street fairs, and community service organization functions, appearing in nearly every Southland parade. The band reached its peak in membership during 1991 and was invited to play in President Clinton’s first inauguration.”