PrideFest Crowd Sees Progress, Acknowledges Challenges
DENVER (CBS4) - More than 325,000 people gathered in Civic Center Park this weekend to celebrate Denver's PrideFest.
But while there's plenty of support for the LGBT community in Colorado -- this weekend's Pride is the nation's third-largest gay pride event -- there's work to do, attendees acknowledged.
Sophie Propp, a gay rights supporter, told CBS4: "There's so much sexism in this society. It's not just (against) gays and it's not just (against) women. People just can't accept and it's really sad."
Bob Gaiser, a leader in the gay community and Colorado's first openly gay county commissioner, said he grew up gay before any events provided support.
"If I would have had this while I was growing up, things would have been a lot different," Gaiser said. He didn't meet someone who was gay until he was 25.
PHOTO GALLERY: Denver PrideFest Parade 2014
Gaiser said that while progress has been made -- more than 100,000 attended Sunday's parade along Colfax Avenue -- there's still too much discrimination to hail victory. That's why he advocates for younger LGBT community members.
"You can find amazing people here in Denver and amazing support for you everywhere you go, and even though it might be hard sometimes, you'll find your way," attendee Gage Sedillo said.
