81 Photos of Absolute Queer Happiness at Chicago Pride Fest 2022

Release the Rainbow

Chicago Pride was back after a two-year hiatus. People in rainbow attire flooded the city Sunday, and the roads were full of colorful floats and happy people. The parade, in its 51st year, went its traditional route on Broadway and Halsted Street.

The parade saw hundreds of thousands of people in attendance, according to the Chicago Tribune. Many participants carried signs condemning Friday’s Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade and also pointing out the continued attacks on the LGBTQ+ community.

“It’s always so moving and touching,” Kala Cullaras of women’s motorcycle group Organized Chaos told the Tribune. “I end up in tears usually, because it’s such a momentous occasion that we get to embrace this brave space in spite of everything happening around us, that we’re still here and vibrant and just as colorful as usual, and not being muted or suppressed or anything. We are who we are.”

Below are 81 photos showing the colorful happiness at Chicago Pride Fest 2022, held the weekend before the Parade.

Catch the photographers of these images on Instagram:

@smkphotog

@alliemischen

@perardi