CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
Scroll To Top
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Queer Pride and Protest — a Photo History
A Brief Photo History of Queer Pride and Protest
Pride began after the New York City Stonewall uprising in 1969, a riot turned movement turned a decades-long push and pull between celebration, liberation, and protest that exists in cities across the U.S. today. A year after Stonewall, Pride marches sprang up in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and later spread to cities worldwide.
Pride, of course, was preceded by many protests over harassment: in Philadelphia at Dewey's Lunch Counter (1965); in San Francisco at Compton's Cafeteria (1966); in New York at Whitehall Street (1964) and the Julius Sip-in (1966); and in Los Angeles at the PatchBar (1968); Coopers Do-nuts (1959); and the Black Cat (1967). The latter gave rise to The Advocate, founded the same year. (There was even a White House protest by the East Coast Homophile Organization in 1965.)
Times have changed, but the resilience of Pride remains. Ahead of Pride month 2022 when there are new and pointed attacks on trans folks and queer kids with more than 300 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in the works around the country, Pride and protest go hand-in-hand as much as ever. Here's a look back in photos at this 53-year tradition of Pride and protest.
(Opposite) Drag performers from NYC's 82 Club at the fourth annual Gay Pride Day in 1973 including (far right) trans performer Chrysis St. Laurent and (next to her) Canadian queen Jene Chandler (who later starred in Strange Shadows in an Empty Room).
This story is part of The Advocate's 2022 Champions of Pride issue, which is out on newsstands May 17, 2022. To get your own copy directly, support queer media and subscribe -- or download yours for Amazon, Kindle, Nook, or Apple News.
1975 NYC Pride
Marching en masse toward Central Park at the Gay Pride Parade in NYC, 1975.
1983 Gay Lib Parade
A 1983 Pride march shows intersectionality isn't new.
1984 NYC Pride
Queer people march during the Gay Pride Parade in New York City in June 1984.
1988 ACTUP Protest
OK, technically it's not at Pride, but when ACT UP famously shut down the Food and Drug Administration for the day in 1988 (carrying effigies of George H.W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, Jesse Helms, and others who refused to address the AIDS epidemic it was (wait for it) legendary.
1990 Dykes on Bykes SF
These Dykes on Bikes rev to open San Francisco Pride in 1990. Over 400 cyclists start the parade each year on behalf of the 46-year-old multichapter organization
1990 Peace Sign
Kink goes all peace and love at San Francisco Pride in 1990.
1991 ACT UP Protest
In an era of Queer Nation, people touched tongues to show "kissing doesn't kill" at 1990's International Lesbian & Gay Freedom Day Parade in San Francisco
1991 Heelswhip
Wielding super platforms and a whip at NYC's LGBTQ+ Pride Parade in 1991.
1993 March On Washington
Queer solidarity at the 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Rights and Liberation.
1995 Lesbian and Kids
Two moms, two kids, and one "Dyke" sign at a 1995 California Pride event.
1995 Street Dancers London
Cute twinks at London Pride in 1995
Latest Stories
Go green with envy with 70 pics from Sidetrack Chicago's St. Patrick's Day party
March 28 2024 6:06 PM
Unleash your Winter Party 2024 cravings with these 30+ pics from last year
February 15 2024 3:54 PM
21+ steamy photos of Scotland’s finest gay men in Elska Glasgow
February 01 2024 10:07 PM
2024 Primetime Emmys: LGBTQ+ celebs who walked the red carpet
January 15 2024 8:17 PM
25 pics of hot, shirtless celebs just to remind us of warmer weather
January 14 2024 10:47 AM
20 LGBTQ+ movies coming out in 2024 that we can't wait to see
January 13 2024 2:21 PM
Golden Globes 2024: Take a look at the LGBTQ+ celebs who walked the red carpet
January 07 2024 8:29 PM
10 of the Best and Steamiest Queer Sex Scenes of 2023
December 30 2023 3:03 PM
14 Steamy Photos From Fetish Gras San Diego 2023
December 29 2023 3:25 PM
20+ Pics to Celebrate Miami Dreamland NYE Party with Trixie Mattel
December 27 2023 4:07 PM
16 Gay NFL Cheerleaders We Are Happy To Cheer On
December 24 2023 11:52 AM
59 Steamy Sidetrack Chicago Santa Speedo Run Pics for Holiday Enjoyment
December 23 2023 9:33 PM
Our Picks For the 15 Best LGBTQ+ Movies of 2023
December 22 2023 10:32 AM
You'll Never Guess Which Countries Had the Most Tops, Bottoms, Verses & Sides in 2023
December 20 2023 6:03 PM
10 Drag Queens Who Absolutely Conquered 2023, Long May They Reign
December 13 2023 6:54 PM
These Are the 5 States With the Smallest Percentage of LGBTQ+ People
December 13 2023 9:15 AM
These 20 Celebs Have The Best Booties In The Business According To Science
December 12 2023 6:06 PM