Known for opposing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and joining the ranks of the Klu Klux Klan—decisions he later recanted as “mistakes”—Robert Byrd also opposed affirmative action, gays to serving in the military, and most recently same-sex marriage. Byrd also gained notoriety as “The King of Pork” by unabashedly channeling federal funds to his impoverished home state of West Virginia.

In New York, thousands joined the crowd during the 41st annual Gay Rights Parade. The weather was sunny, and the mood elated. “It’s like a celebration of being who you are, of being yourself—no judging,” said parade spectator Melissa Rodriquez of Brooklyn.

Also marching in the parade were members of the St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church, who have marched under the church’s banner for the last 12 years—until now. The parishioners marched behind a blank banner after New York’s Archbishop asked the pastor to not associate the church’s name with the parade, claiming that that association may hint the church advocates some of the more “promiscuous” messages of the event.

St. Francis’ ministries have long been known for providing a place for gay and lesbian Catholics to worship. The church compromised by combining the blank banner with St. Francis-labeled T-shirts, and continuing to welcome gay Catholics back into the fold.