The Pikes Peak Unit Rodeo is pleased to announce the first Grand Marshall for the first Gay Rodeo ever held in Colorado Springs, is the Reverend Marion Clark Harrison, the Senior Pastor of the Pikes Peak Metropolitan Community Church here in the city.

Reverend Harrison served as an ordained minster in the United Church of Christ for 27 years. Reverend Harrison is the father of 4 children (3 girls and 1 boy) and 5 grandchildren.

On "coming out" in 1982, Reverend Harrison no longer was welcome in his former denomination and kept himself alive by working as a yard man, gardener, painter and desk clerk in a motel. He then began attending Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis, where he was subsequently hired as administrative assistant and secretary. In 1987, Reverend Harrison was licensed as a pastor in the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. He was called to Pikes Peak M.C.C. in September, 1987. His involvement in the U.F.M.C.C. as a pastor includes serving as Assistant District Coordinator of the 10 state Mid-Central District.

Locally, in addition to serving as pastor of the 50 member Pikes Peak M.C.C., he had been, since arriving in Colorado Springs, a member of the Southern Colorado AIDS Project Board of Directors. Presently he is concluding a year as the President. Reverend Harrison has been involved in the Human Rights struggle for Lesbians and Gay Men in Colorado Springs for the past year and will continue to do battle until our equal rights are assured by law. Reverend Harrison has been an ardent supporter of all organizational groups in the Gay and Lesbian Community, and most recently serves as one of the facilitator of a Grief Support Group for family members, significant others, and friends of persons who have died from the HIV infection (sponsored by S-CAP and Hospice). Reverend Harrison and his life partner of seven years, Wayne Johnson, serve on numerous panels in the high schools and area Colleges.

On being asked to serve as Grand Marshall, he remarks that he was most surprised. But, he felt honored to be chosen by such a respected and enthusiastic group of men and women as the Colorado Gay Rodeo Association of Colorado Springs.

Rev. Harrison welcomes all of you to Colorado Springs, desiring the safety of all participants and hoping that everyone enjoys the spirited competition and the hospitality of our community. Welcome, to the First Gay Rodeo in Colorado Springs!