Gay Pride Parade, Fiery Topic, Ends Without a Spark

The heated debate over homosexuality took to the streets of Conway today, in the city`s first Gay Pride Parade. Critics were also out in full force -- showing their disapproval of the homosexual lifestyle. Chanting, "Homophobics have to go," along the parade route, marchers made their message clear. As the parade chanted, carrying rainbow flags, protesters on the sidewalk held the Christian flag, some sang "Amazing Grace," with their backs turned to the parade. Shelby Harrell marched to support a friend. "I have a friend who is a homosexual and no one is really supportive of him in our hometown," Harrell said, from Bauxite. "I came here today because I believe that all creatures are created equal, all human being should have the same rights," said Ruth Osment from Russellville. More than 100 people marched in the parade, asking for tolerance and understanding. But along the route, there were just as many people opposed to its purpose of homosexual pride as there were marching in it. "We`re out here to show support for the lifestyle God intended, it wasn`t intended to be a homosexual lifestyle," said Kevin Rowell. At the same time as the parade, 26 churches gathered nearby at Second Baptist Church for what they call a pro-family community prayer service, praying for leadership in a time of need. "A time of prayer and a time of just seeing how God`s going to lead us in this situation that`s involving our city," said Troy George, service organizer. Parade organizers John Schenck and Robert Loyd say they`re making themselves known and hopefully understood. "We`re hoping this will encourage dialogue, the more people talk, the closer we come to working out our differences," Schenck said. Though there was not much talking between the two sides Sunday afternoon, each side definitely heard the other.