Pride Parade: Does The LGBTQ Community Set A Political Statement Or Is It Just A Big Party? Bianca Follow Jun 3, 2018 · 3 min read

Pride Parade in New York. Photo by Josh Wilburne on Unsplash

At the beginning of June, the 48th Pride Month will take place around the world. The LGBTQ community will gather together to celebrate equality and raise awareness of political issues. In recent years, critics state that the Pride Parade is not a political march anymore.

PRIDE PARADE ORIGIN

The Pride Parade was originally known as Christopher Street Liberation March and first took place on June 28, 1970, in Manhattan. Today, it is known under the name Christopher Street Day (CSD), Gay Pride or Pride Parade.

In the 70s, the LGBTQ community experienced discrimination and violence from the police. After a raid by the police in a bar called Stonewall Inn, followed by fights between the gay community and the police, the first pride march took place one year later in remembrance of what happened in the previous years.

The Stonewall Inn locates at the Christopher Street 53 in Manhattan, Greenwich Village, which explains the original name Christopher Street Liberation March.

“Say it clear, say it loud. Gay is good, gay is proud. “– Slogan of the first Pride Parade.

The Gay Liberation Front, founders of the first Pride Parade, wanted to build a safe and secure environment for LGBTQ members where they can express themselves without judgment. The Pride Parade is a political statement to support the fight for equal rights and sexual openness.

The Pride Parade unites the LGBTQ community and brings everybody together to celebrate pride, culture and equality, while increasing the visibility of the community in the eye of the public.

A SHIFT OF PRIORITIES

Critics say that the focus has moved away from marching for a political purpose to an ongoing party and self-expression. Since gay rights have improved over the years, especially in Western countries, some might have the impression that it is not necessary anymore to make a political statement.

“Nowadays there are only a handful of people carrying political banners. I think overall there has been a dumbing down of the LGBT agenda. That first pride march was organised by the Gay Liberation Front, which had an agenda for social transformation and sexual freedom for everyone, including straight people” says Peter Tatchell, human rights campaigner and organiser of the first Pride Parade in London, in an interview with The Guardian.

Kate Silze wrote in The Diversity Council, “Celebrate all of our past successes, but, remember this: Pride is not just a party. It is a time to network and organize for the future […] until our ultimate goal of true equity for all has been reached.”

There are still countries where being a member of the LGBTQ community can lead to punishment, for instance in Russia or Uganda. In those countries, it is still dangerous to be gay and can lead to violence or death. This indicates that the road to equality is still not at its end. In the Western countries, gay rights have been established, meanwhile in Islamic countries the LGBTQ rights are still not accepted.

However, Pride Parades spread continuously throughout the world. This is an indicator that the LGBTQ community expands and is recognized, accepted and included in many different cultures.

“When Pride parades, events, movies, parties and discussions happen, LGBT people are seen for more than just a caricature of who we are. We are seen as real people: mothers, fathers, sons and daughters” states lesbian activist Mary Malia.

The LGBTQ community came a long way. Members can march proudly while raising the Pride Flag and go on the street to celebrate equality in social and political life. However, the road to equality has not come to an end.

To participate in a Pride Parade close to you visit gaypridecalendar.com.