LGBT group challenges denial to march in parade

Published 10:08 am Wednesday, October 10, 2012

ANOKA, Minn. (AP) — A youth organization claims it was denied a spot in Anoka’s Halloween parade because of its support for gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Tammy Aaberg founded the group Justin’s Gift on behalf of her son who committed suicide in 2010. Aaberg has maintained Justin was bullied because he was gay.

Some 30 young people planned to dress up as fairy tale characters and march in the Oct. 27 Halloween parade on behalf of the organization. But, Aaberg says the group got a note in the mail recently denying its application. The note said the parade had reached its maximum for walking units.

Email newsletter signup

The president of the Anoka Halloween board of directors, Jeremy McFarland, said Wednesday other groups have been denied applications as well, but he declined to talk further about the organization Justin’s Gift and its participation in the parade.