PHOTOS: Iowa City Marches for Pride

More than 200 people turned out in College Green Park  Saturday to march in celebration of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender rights.

Pride Committee Co-chair Jewell Amos said the parade is an important reminder as well as a celebration.

"In the 70s, when they first started, (the Pride Parade) originally started as a march and protest, and it has now developed into a celebration of our accomplishments,"  she said. "Iowa City includes everybody and we need to make sure we stay visible and celebrate our accomplishments and keep working towards equality.

"Even a couple of weeks ago there was a guy who wrote us a letter that he was under a vicious gay attack and it's one of those things that we continuously need to let people know - that we are just like everyone else."

Old Capitol City Roller Girls , the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Allied Union, the Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City and the I.C. Kings were just a few of the 30-plus Iowa City groups and individuals to participate in the longest-running gay-pride parade in Iowa.

The parade started from College Green Park, traveling west along Iowa Avenue through the Ped Mall, past the Iowa City Library and back to the park. Marchers then walked back to the Ped Mall to enjoy speakers, music, vendors and festivities.

Turk Pierson of the GLBTAU, said members of his organization marched to celebrate being themselves.

"Being able to go out and show that we're all around is important," he said. "Every chance that we get to express ourselves is a great chance."

Steffanie Jeffrey AKA Lefty Winger, said the Roller girls have rolled in the march for the last two years.

"We all feel it's a good cause," she said. "A lot of our derby sisters are gay - not all - but we support everybody and we love being a part of it. It's a good time and everyone enjoys it."

Vicki Siefers, of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City, said they were carrying two new banners this year given to them by the national Unitarian Universalists, which created them as part of an advocacy group after a 2008 hate-shooting that killed two people in a Knoxville, Tenn. Unitarian Church service - the church openly supported the gay community.

"The Unitarian Universalists are very supportive of the gay, lesbian, bi, transgender community,"  Siefers said. "We have lots of members  in our church and are very welcoming. We promote respect, compassion and understanding."

The I.C. Kings also marched to show their support and have been doing so for two years.

"The Pride parade gives you a chance to be visible, especially if you're involved in the community or recognizable in the community," said the I.C. Kings creator, Franky D. Lover. "It's  good to be visible in an event like this. It shows people that you're part of the community too and you want to be active - and it's just fun."

Correction: The I.C. Kings creator was originally identified by the wrong first name.