Pride parades originated from a series of marches held in June of 1970 to commemorate the riots at Stonewall Inn. They were held in four cities: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The initial demonstrations were not like the celebrations we see today, but were instead protests, used to push for queer people to have more rights. Years later, in 1999, President Bill Clinton would make Pride Month officially “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.” It would take President Barack Obama to declare it “Pride Month” before it came to be the holiday observed as it is today.
Though Pride is celebrated all month, International Pride Day is officially held on June 28th in remembrance of the Stonewall Riots. Since Pride is recognized internationally, you will see different regions celebrate in different ways and at different times. Canada celebrates a “Pride Season”, holding celebrations from June to September, and some areas of New Zealand will have a festival containing live music and performances.
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