Same-sex wedding planned for Rose Parade float prompts criticism - Los Angeles Times
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Same-sex wedding planned for Rose Parade float prompts criticism

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The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Assn. has received complaints from people opposing a planned same-sex wedding on the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s float.

Some took to the organization’s Facebook page to voice their anger, calling the wedding “unbiblical” and “highly offensive.”

“I can’t think of many things LESS appropriate for families and especially children,” one wrote. “It’s completely the wrong venue for a stunt like this.”

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FULL COVERAGE: 2014 Rose Parade

A separate Facebook page has also been started called “Boycott the 2014 Rose Parade,” with more than 1,600 “likes” as of Sunday. A post reads: “Gay ‘marriage’ is still illegal in over 30 states. Why would the Tournament of Roses promote something illegal like that?”

The float, titled “Living the Dream: Love Is the Best Protection,” was created to celebrate victories in 2013 for the same-sex marriage movement, including Supreme Court decisions upholding the repeal of California’s Proposition 8 and striking down a key part of the Defense of Marriage Act.

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Foundation spokesman Ged Kenslea said the organization supports legally sanctioning same-sex marriage because it encourages more stable relationships as well as behavior that will prevent the spread of HIV.

“We believe that marriage saves lives,” he said.

Rose Parade organizers are defending the planned wedding.

In a statement released to The Times, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Assn. said it is “pleased” to have the foundation participate in this year’s event.

“It is the organization’s third entry in three years tied to their mission of delivering medical services and advocacy in fighting AIDS worldwide,” the statement says.

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The foundation’s float will be one of the last in Wednesday’s parade.

The wedding -- of Danny Leclair, 45, and Aubrey Loots, 42 -- will take place about 9:30 a.m. Kenslea said the wedding is the perfect way to honor the parade’s theme of “Dreams Come True,” by showing the dream of lesbians and gay men realized.

Leclair said he can’t wait to be “legally married to the person I’ve committed my life to and been with for the past 12 years.”

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