OutVets represented LGBT military veterans, who were allowed to march in the city’s parade for the first time.
Celebrating service and honoring sacrifice, hundreds of veterans marched in Boston’s annual Veterans Day parade Tuesday.
Proudly marching for the first time was the group OutVets, representing LGBT military veterans.
"Today we made the statement that we’re honoring our veterans, whether you’re gay, whether you’re straight, whether you’re black, whether you’re white, we all have shed the same red blood," OutVets founder and CEO Bryan Bishop said.
From Boston Common to City Hall, loud applause followed the OutVets.
"It was an amazing experience, it really blew me out of the water the outpouring of support that we got from the folks that were lining up the streets," OutVets COO Robert Santiago said.
"I think it’s wonderful. I think everybody should always be included," Newton resident Wendy Matthews said.
"I think it’s great. I think they should just be marching as everybody else," Medford veteran Brian O’Neill said.
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Some veterans had mixed feelings about letting OutVets into Boston’s parade.
"They’re all God’s people so you know, if this is what it is, this is what it is, each of us have our own beliefs," Boston Army vet Wanna Flores said.
But parade organizer Stephen Peers said the decision to let the group in was simple.
"They’re veterans, period," he said.
"I was very emotional, every person who marched in our organization today never thought this would happen," Bishop said.
