Band plays on
The Lesbian and Gay Band Association (LGBA) has made history by being chosen to perform in the parade for U.S. President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration on January 20 in Washington, DC. This is the first time a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender group will march in a presidential inaugural parade.
The 178-piece LGBA band will be comprised of people from LGBA’s 34 member bands. This massed band will join groups from across the country as well as from the United States Armed Forces in the historic parade down Pennsylvania Avenue, which follows President-elect Barack Obama’s swearing-in ceremony on the steps of the Capitol.
An LGBA massed concert band performed in 1993 at the inaugural celebrations for President Bill Clinton, becoming the first lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender group to perform at an inauguration. The band received a -œthumbs-up gesture from the President as they played America the Beautiful. The LGBA band also performed at President Clinton’s second inauguration in 1997.