Two River-Cade parade entries center on marriage rights - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

Any parade that's scheduled in the month of July is bound to be hot. But, Wednesday, the hot-button issue of marriage rights was the focus of two entries in the annual River-Cade parade.

There was the "traditional marriage" float, which urged state lawmakers to allow a public vote on a constitutional amendment defining marriage as "between one man, and one woman."

That float got a lot of attention-- both positive and negative-- during the "Big Parade" two weeks ago. Organizers advocate "traditional marriage", but say they respect the right of gay marriage advocates to have their say. John Wacker, Common Sense PAC Chairman says, "If you're on the other side of the issue, I welcome that. You might disagree with what the float says. I hope they don't think of this as a "finger in your face." I don't want that."

In response to the "traditional marriage" float, members of Sioux City's gay community marched in the parade, too. They want equality for everyone, and wanted people along the parade route to recognize that. Chrissy McCalmont, Sioux City says, "We're offering a more diverse opinion... one that fits us as families. We wanted equality included in the parade this year."

River-Cade organizers said they allowed both entries in the parade claiming their organization wouldn't censor any entry.