Stanley Cup, Chicago Blackhawks Brent Sopel, Chicago Cubs Ernie Banks, And Newly Out Country Star Chely Wright Celebrate 41st Annual Chicago Pride

The Stanley Cup, Chicago Blackhawks Brent Sopel, Chicago Cubs Ernie Banks, and newly out country star Chely Wright celebrated the 41st Annual Chicago Pride as participants of the parade attending by an estimated 400,000. Sopel, who sadly was traded late last week to the Atlanta Thrashers, stood atop the Chicago Gay Hockey Association float, and said he participated in the parade to honour the memory of the late Brendan Burke, son of Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brian Burke, who was tragically killed mere months after coming out publically last November. Brendan was 21 years old. “Anyone who buries their son is heartbroken,” Sopel said. “It should never happen. It’s in their honour that I’m participating.” Sopel, accompanied by his wife, wore badges with the initials BB for Brendan, added that “we raise our kids to believe that everyone is equal. Everyone is a person, regardless of race, color, or religion,” and added that he believes gays “lead a tough life trying to deal with all of the stereotypes” and that he hopes that very soon “things will be clear and wide open for everybody.” Ernie Banks rode in the parade in a convertible with the Ricketts family, who bought the Cubs post season last year, and who made the team’s first official appearance in the parade. Banks said “I know the area – Boystown – and they’ve all been very nice and friendly with me. I want to show that I have compassion for them. They know the game and have great respect for the players.”