• Log in
    PoliticsBusinessA&ETransgenderBisexualityReligionFamiliesVoicesVideo
    OUTPrideOut TravelerPLUSADVOCATE CHANNEL
    SubscribeSubscriber ServicesEmail Newsletter Signup
    CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
    © 2023 Pride Publishing Inc.
    All Rights reserved
    Advocate.comAdvocate.com
    Scroll To Top

    By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.

    Accept

    Queer Pride and Protest — a Photo History

    Advocate.com Editors
    | 05/30/22

    Queer Pride and Protest — a Photo History

    A Brief Photo History of Queer Pride and Protest

    pride

    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

    1975 NYC Pride

    Marching en masse toward Central Park at the Gay Pride Parade in NYC, 1975.

    1983 Gay Lib Parade

    1983 Gay Lib Parade

    A 1983 Pride march shows intersectionality isn't new.

    1984 NYC Pride

    1984 NYC Pride

    Queer people march during the Gay Pride Parade in New York City in June 1984.

    1988 ACTUP Protest

    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

    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

    1990 Peace Sign

    Kink goes all peace and love at San Francisco Pride in 1990.

    1991 ACT UP Protest

    1991 ACTUP 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

    1991 Heelswhip

    Wielding super platforms and a whip at NYC's LGBTQ+ Pride Parade in 1991.

    1993 March On Washington

    1993 March On Washington

    Queer solidarity at the 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Rights and Liberation.

    1995 Lesbian and Kids

    1995 Lesbian and Kids

    Two moms, two kids, and one "Dyke" sign at a 1995 California Pride event.

    1995 Street Dancers London

    1995 Street Dancers London

    Cute twinks at London Pride in 1995

    Latest Stories

    ONE Archives
    Pride
    Badge
    gallery

    13 Vintage Photos of Los Angeles's Queer Pride from ONE Archives

    9h
    Shows to watch in June
    Arts & Entertainment
    Badge
    gallery

    15 LGBTQ+ TV Shows and Movies to Watch in June

    9h
    Christopher Briney and Gavin Casalegno
    television
    Badge
    gallery

    9 First-Look Photos of 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' Season 2

    June 01 2023 7:00 PM
    Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey’s Gay Romance 'Fellow Travelers' Gets Teaser
    television
    Badge
    gallery

    Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey’s Gay Romance 'Fellow Travelers' Gets Teaser

    June 01 2023 5:00 PM
    LGBTQ Pride Flags
    Pride
    Badge
    gallery

    36 Queer Pride Flags You Should Know

    June 01 2023 4:01 PM
    Ayo Edebiri, Sofia Coppola, and Julio Torres
    film
    Badge
    gallery

    NewFest Pride Reveals Lineup for its 3rd Annual Summer Film Series

    June 01 2023 2:30 PM
    Tan and Rob France
    People
    Badge
    gallery

    Queer Eye’s Tan France Welcomes Baby Number 2 With Husband Rob

    May 31 2023 2:00 PM
    60 Photos of Your Favorite Celebs Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth at GLSEN Respect Awards
    Activism
    Badge
    gallery

    60 Photos of Your Favorite Celebs Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth at GLSEN Respect Awards

    May 31 2023 10:05 AM
    Girls Like Girls, Stars Collide, and Leg book covers
    Books
    Badge
    gallery

    13 LGBTQ+ Books to Read and Enjoy Before Spring Is Over

    May 30 2023 11:00 AM
    Joe Locke and Kit Connor from Heartstopper
    television
    Badge
    gallery

    5 First Look Photos from 'Heartstopper' Season 2

    May 30 2023 8:00 AM
    Nico Tortorella, Janelle Monáe, and Brandon Urie
    Pansexual
    Badge
    gallery

    12 Pan Icons to Celebrate Pansexual Visibility Day

    May 24 2023 7:17 PM
    'Red, White, and Royal Blue,' the Gay R-Rated Rom-Com, Debuts Key Art
    film
    Badge
    gallery

    'Red, White, and Royal Blue,' the Gay R-Rated Rom-Com, Debuts Key Art

    May 24 2023 11:06 AM
    Jake Daniels
    People
    Badge
    gallery

    Gay Soccer Star Jake Daniels, 18, Shares About His Partner, 46

    May 22 2023 1:35 PM
    5 Victims of Club Q Shooting Remembered
    Crime
    Badge
    gallery

    5 Victims of Club Q Shooting Remembered

    May 19 2023 10:03 PM
    30+ Images Celebrating Out Magazine's Kim Petras Pride Cover Drop
    Slideshow
    Badge
    gallery

    30+ Images Celebrating Out Magazine's Kim Petras Pride Cover Drop

    May 19 2023 4:45 PM
    Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
    Activism
    Badge
    gallery

    Meet the L.A. Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

    May 19 2023 4:30 PM
    Honorees at the GLAAD Media Awards in NYC
    Media
    Badge
    gallery

    69 Photos Celebrating the Star-Studded GLAAD Media Awards in NYC

    May 18 2023 11:19 AM
    Selfies at the Little Gay Pub in DC and the bar’s owners Dusty Martinez, Benjamin Gander and Dito Sevilla
    Business
    Badge
    gallery

    51 Steamy Selfies from The Little Gay Pub, D.C.'s Hottest New LGBTQ+ Spot

    May 16 2023 5:00 PM
    Gio Benitez and the hosts of GMA weekends
    People
    Badge
    gallery

    23 Pics to Help You Get to Know Gio Benitez, the New Gay Co-Anchor of ‘GMA’ Weekends

    May 16 2023 4:01 PM
    Colton Underwood and Jordan C. Brown
    People
    Badge
    gallery

    Gay 'Bachelor' Star Colton Underwood Marries Jordan C. Brown

    May 15 2023 12:55 PM