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The importance of this public display of solidarity cannot be underestimated.
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Pride parades are a chance for individuals, businesses, organizations, and even entire cities to show their support of LGBT rights. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have a significant effect on policy, as we’ll see below. That said, pride celebrations today tend to be more of a simple celebration, rather than strong political statements. This year, we’re seeing many parades address the rights of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, who have recently faced major threats to their rights and safety. Pride parades were utilized to educate the public, generate support, and encourage lawmakers to vote in favor of LGBT rights.įor example, after Proposition 8 banning gay marriage in California was passed in 2008, pride parades in following years focused heavily on reversing the decision and establishing the right to marry. 2000s and today: marriage equality and mainstreaming the LGBT communityĭuring the 2000s, battles at local, state, and national levels were being fought for marriage equality. There was also an increase in attendance by families, as it became safer for LGBT folks to openly raise children, whether through adoption, birth or surrogacy. It was a sign of the progress made that more people could publicly ‘come out,’ facing less violence and discrimination. The tone also began to shift, from political marches to light-hearted celebrations.
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The nearly two decades of marches had played a role in shifting America’s attitudes on LGBT rights, and several states began to create anti-discrimination laws, beginning with Wisconsin.īy the mid 1990s, pride gatherings in June were the norm in most major cities. had a “die-in” where participants laid on the ground to represent their community members killed by the disease.īut there was also some good news. Many marches demanded more research and better treatment for those affected. When HIV/AIDS began to spread throughout the country in the 1980’s, the population of gay men was hit hard. 1980-1990s: Battling discrimination and HIV/AIDS At the 1978 Los Angeles march, for example, participants protested the Briggs Initiative, which would have made it illegal for a non-heterosexual person to work in public schools throughout California. Marches often focused on local legislation. Being non-heterosexual was classified as a ‘mental disorder,’ and it was often unsafe to be openly gay.Īs marches began to appear in other cities, they opened up a national dialogue about what was then known simply as “gay rights.” This resulted in some progress (such as the declassification of being gay as a mental disorder in 1973), but also pushback, such as several states legally defining marriage as between one man and one woman. It occurred when the iconic NYC gay bar, ‘the Stonewall,’ was raided by the police, and the patrons bravely fought back.Īt the time, the LGBT community regularly faced violence and harsh discrimination. The riot is widely cited as the beginning of the modern LGBT movement in the U.S. Rather than a parade, New York, L.A., Chicago, and San Francisco held somber marches in remembrance of the Stonewall Riot a year previously.
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The origin of American pride parades can be traced back to 1970. Throughout recent history, they have played a major role in pushing for the creation of LGBT rights legislation. But pride celebrations are more than a great excuse to gather with friends and family and share a toast. Throughout June, cities around the country have been celebrating with festivals, parades, parties and picnics. How LGBT Pride Celebrations Impact Policy