quote: "We should remember all those people that have gone before us. WeÕll never forget those. So many people weÕve lost to the virus. So many people that have paved the way.Ó
– the Rev. Darlene Franklin-Foster
cutline: Kalimah Johnson performs pouring of the libations, a spiritual ritual, during the candlelight vigil.
DETROIT — A few raindrops didn√ït put out the flames at Hotter Than July's Interfaith Candlelight Vigil last week at Palmer Park.
ÒThis is a tradition by which we pay homage to our ancestors and invite them to walk with us as we celebrate the truth of who we are, which are gay, lesbian, bi-attractional and transgender people with our eyes wide open,Ó said Kalimah Johnson, who performed the pouring of libations, a spiritual ritual. ÒWe acknowledge our elders in our community who have paved the way and cleared the path for us.Ó
Participants passed a flame from candle to candle as they gathered around the Blue Spruce Memorial Tree singing ÒAmazing GraceÓ and ÒThis Little Light of Mine.Ó
ÒWe are here and we wouldnÕt be here if it wasnÕt for our ancestors,Ó Johnson said. ÒThis tree was planted for your friends and your family who have gone on because of cancer and AIDS.Ó
Antoenette Foster-Franklin, wife of the Rev. Darlene Franklin of Full Truth Fellowship of Christ Church, brought one of her three gay daughters, Brandy Edwards, who emceed the Karibou House Komedy Klub II.
ÒThe park is important cause weÕve lost so many people and we should remember all those people that have gone before us,Ó Franklin-Foster said. ÒWeÕll never forget those. So many people weÕve lost to the virus. So many people that have paved the way.Ó
Detroit residents Theresa Simmons and Darlene Smith, best friends for more than 20 years, came to worship their ancestors.
ÒItÕs an important part of the show that everyone is united and to show that we all worship the same Lord and to bring back and respect the memories of the ones that have passed away,Ó said Simmons, with her Yorkshire terrier, Pierre, at her side.
Before candles were lit and the Full Truth Fellowship Choir performed, Hank Milbourne remembered gay activist Joseph S. James.
ÒThis year has been a remarkable year for us in many ways," Milbourne said. "This ceremony is particularly important for us because we lost one very dear to us, one of our board members Joseph James. The board remembers him.Ó
Many participants involved in the vigil also took part in the parade from MenjoÕs, at McNichols and Woodward, to the park.
ÒI think it went very well," said the Rev. Deb Dysert, who marched with Divine Peace MCC. "I was talking to somebody who said last year there was only 12 people and this year thereÕs a lot more than that. IÕm guessing itÕs probably quadrupled."
Local organizations, including Affirmations, Full Truth Ministries and Black Pride Society, also marched through the street with banners and rainbow flags.
ÒI think there could be a lot more people here,Ó Dysert said. ÒSometimes it takes us a while to realize that when one part of our whole body is injured the whole body is injured. And one part of our body is experiencing things that we donÕt experience and we need to support each other.Ó
