DAILY NEWS, June 26, 1998
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Gay Couple Following Its Marching Orders

By TARA GEORGE
Daily News Staff Writer

For newlyweds Jon and Michael Galluccio, Sunday's Gay and Lesbian Pride March will be a family affair.

The New Jersey men, who became the first gay couple to legally adopt a kid together, were married Sunday in an Episcopal church ceremony.

They have a 3-year-old son, Adam, and an 18-month-old foster daughter, Madison, whom they hope to adopt one day.

Wearing their wedding rings, and with the two children in their arms and family members by their sides, America's most famous gay parents will join thousands of marchers in the 29th annual parade.

"We feel it's still our responsibility to our children to be out there," said Jon, 34. "One of the things we've discovered is that visibility is what is going to beat bigotry, ignorance and prejudice."

Last year, the couple won a class-action lawsuit that made New Jersey the first state to allow a gay couple to adopt kids.

Their experience has prompted thousands of supportive E-mail messages, letters and phone calls from gays and lesbians encouraged by their victory. Some people have written to express their disapproval.

Although the Galluccios were wary of the spotlight at first, they now embrace it and use their fame as a platform.

"The first thing we're told to expect when we come out is that our parents are going to say, 'Oh my God, I'm never going to have grandchildren,' " Jon said from their Maywood home.

As they march in the American Civil Liberties Union contingent, the Galluccios will hand out the 10,000 "Think Family" buttons they've had made.

Organizers expect about 220,000 participants in more than 300 contingents to march down Fifth Ave. Some 300,000 spectators are expected to watch.

"Unity Through Diversity" is the theme this year. And the event's grand marshals are City Council members Margarita Lopez (D-Manhattan) and Phil Reed (D-Manhattan).

The march will start at noon at 52nd St. and Fifth Ave., continuing down the avenue to Washington Square.