The LGBA was the only LGBT group in the parade that included 28 bands. The Lesbian and Gay Band Association had representatives from 30 of the 31 bands across the U.S., forming a massed band of 215 people to march in the parade.
President Obama’s inclusion of gay people and Stonewall in his inauguration speech likely made marching in the cold a little bit easier for LGBA membrs.
Representing Atlanta in the parade were Eddie Young and Bob Derickson, piccolo; Karen Helbling, trumpet; John Peterson, trombone; Robert Corona, color guard; Danielle Steele, honor guard; and Cliff Norris, sousaphone. Young and Norris were also section captains on the artistic leadership team.
Watch closely to see your hometown band members. At 1:22 we see Robert Corona on the far right with a wide grin and again we see him at the 1:40 mark in the center of the screen; and at the 2:16 mark there’s Eddie Young also smiling broadly behind his piccolo for a few seconds before the camera cuts to President Obama and Vice President Biden smiling and clapping along. Did we miss anyone?
Top photo: Atlanta Freedom Bands participants, (front row, left to right): Danielle Steele, Eddie Young, Robert Corona, Mark Birditt; (second row) Cliff Norris, John Peterson, Karen Helbling, Bob Derrickson. (courtesy Cliff Norris)