Green Party Congressional candidate Bob Fitrakis will walk in Columbus Gay Pride Parade

June 14, 2012

Contact: Suzanne Patzer, media contact

374-2448, fitrakisforcongress@gmail.com

Green Party congressional candidate in the 3rd district, Bob Fitrakis, is continuing his traditional support for the gay community by walking in this year’s Pride Parade, June 16 at noon, in downtown Columbus. He will be joined by fellow Green Party members. Fitrakis has a long history of supporting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights.

He attended Rev. Jesse Jackson’s historical speech in 1983, when the gay community was invited into the Rainbow Coalition. Jackson was the first major party presidential candidate to openly solicit gay voters.

As campaign manager for Democratic congressional candidate Tom Erney in 1990, Fitrakis led the campaign to be perhaps one of the first in central Ohio to accept Stonewall Union’s endorsement and place it prominently on the campaign literature.

In 1991, Fitrakis served as Anne Taylor’s campaign manager for municipal court judge. She began one of the first candidates to march in Columbus’ Pride Parade.

As a Democratic congressional candidate in 1992, Fitrakis was given the privilege to address the gay pride rally following that year’s Pride Parade.

Fitrakis believes it is more important than ever to stand for gay rights in today’s political environment.

“Reactionary forces in our country continue to use homophobia and sexism to try to drive a wedge between the population in this election year, instead of focusing on justice and equality for all,” Fitrakis said, “I believe in equality under the law. I endorse gay marriage and believe that it is important for all people to support communities that are under political attack.”

“Marriage is not just for Adam and Eve, but is also for Adam and Steve and Anna and Eve” Fitrakis said.

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Paid for by Fitrakis for Congress, Suzanne Patzer, Treasurer, 1021 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43205