—by Matthew Lindley

Here in the North End, you are not black or white— you are green and gold.

You are not gay or straight — you are Timbers Army.

Those are the words TA board member Garrett Dittfurth used to end his amazing piece in 2013 about the tifo for International Day Against Homophobia. That tifo set into motion a partnership that saw its third chapter a few weekends ago: the Timbers Army and the Portland Pride Parade. As big a presence as we in the TA are at times, the Pride Parade is so much larger that even being in the pre-parade area is a truly humbling experience.

The day began with a contingent collecting flags from the cage at Providence Park as others began to gather at the staging area in the Park Blocks. The area was buzzing like the wristband line on Derby Day as folks collected and excitement rose about the day’s impending event. Finally, after watching the parade start for organizations such as the “Raging Grannies,” the Unitarian Church, and even Hot Lips Pizza (which brought about a fantastic chant of “WE EAT PIZZA”), the TA/Riveters group stepped off around 12:15 p.m.

For Marion Skinner, the lone drummer of the day, marching with the TA in the Pride Parade is a culmination of the acceptance she has felt all along. “Last year, I got divorced, and though I was really new to the 107ist, it was TA who was there to support me during rough times, whether it was by inviting me to participate in volunteer and social activities, or hooking me up with an extra bed for my kids,” said Skinner. “Be it your sexuality, religion, race, class, or position in life that sets you apart, the TA is there to accept you.”

This year’s organizer, Drew Picard, led everyone in Pride-themed versions of TA chants as we marched through the streets of the Rose City. Those lining the route were excited and amused by songs such as “Pride, Not Prejudice” (to the tune of “Onward, Rose City”) and “When you hear the cheers of the Timbers Army queers/We’ll be comin’ down the road.” Even the obligatory protestors — hey, there were three of them this year! — found themselves drowned out as we jumped, clapped, and sang for equality. There would be an occasional cheer when we came into view, pictures taken, and — most rewarding of all — a thank you.

“Having the 107ist represented in the parade is a reflection of this Portland community and soccer community understanding, and supporting each of our trials and successes regardless of gender/race/ethnicity/sexuality,” said Sunday White, TA and Thorns Capo, who marched up front with the Timbers Army banner. “It is a large group of the community stating that ‘HEY! WE ARE PART OF YOUR COMMUNITY TOO, AND WE LOVE YOU!’ ”

There are a lot of things the TA does to be proud of — charity, outreach, support, etc. — but to be part of the TA, standing beside the rest of the city we call home, and showing the world that we support love and equality above all else, I’m hard pressed to find a day where I’ve been more proud to call myself TA.