U.S. Armed Forces color guard to march in gay pride parade

For the first time in American history, the U.S. Armed Forces color guard will march in a gay pride parade.

The 39th annual Capital Pride parade in Washington, D.C., is likely to attract 150,000 spectators. While there’s never been an official rule banning the color guard from participating, gay rights groups from D.C. to Hawaii have faced rejection since they began asking local military offices for their involvement in 2011, after the don’t ask, don’t tell policy was repealed.

The Department of Defense authorized the eight-person team to march in the parade, representing each branch of the military.