christian grantham
Christian Grantham was a student activist in the late 90s and later was a consultant to domestic policy forums for the Clinton Administration as well as events for HRC and GLAAD.
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December 06, 2004

This month will mark the 30th "Parade of Lights" through downtown Denver. But the festive procession's organizers have bah-humbugged Christmas, allowing Santa Claus and gingerbread houses as "holiday symbols" but banning "direct religious themes," including "'Merry Christmas' signs and the singing or playing of traditional Christmas hymns."

Well, not all religious themes:

This year, the "international procession" includes the Two Spirit Society, which honors gay and lesbian American Indians as holy people; a German folk dance group; and performers of the Lion Dance, a Chinese New Year tradition "meant to chase away evil spirits and welcome good luck and good fortune for the year."

Those groups are considered examples of ethnic diversity, not religious groups, Krikorian said.
[Parade prohibition puzzles preacher - Rocky Mountain News - 12-05-04]

I'm all for being inclusive. But if the Two Spirit people get to be "international" while the Lion Dancers "chase away evil spirits," what's the harm in throwing some carolers into the mix? Perhaps the Germans could bring their guitars and do a round of "Silent Night."