The first
pride marches were held in four US cities in June 1970, one year after the riots at the
Stonewall Inn.[3] The New York City march, promoted as "Christopher Street Liberation Day", alongside the parallel marches in Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, marked a watershed moment for
LGBT rights.[4] An organizer of some of the first marches,
Fred Sargeant stated the goal was to commemorate the Stonewall riots and further push for liberation. He noted that while the first marches were more akin to a protest than a celebration, it helped to remind people of
LGBT communities and how they may include one's family and friends.[5]Transgender women and
people of color, including
Marsha P. Johnson,
Sylvia Rivera, and
Stormé DeLarverie, were largely excluded or silenced during the early marches, despite their prominent participation in the initial riots.[6][7]
Following the Stonewall riots and the first pride marches, the number of LGBT groups rapidly increased,[10] and the
pride movement spread across the United States after a few years.[5] While many Pride celebrations around the world are held in June, some cities vary the observation at different times, partially due to local weather conditions.[11]
Polyamory Pride Day is celebrated every year on a day in Pride Month.[12]
Recognition
As June became recognized as Pride Month in the United States to commemorate the Stonewall Uprising. President
Bill Clinton officially declared in a
presidential proclamation, June "Gay and Lesbian Pride Month" in 1999.[13]Barack Obama expanded the official Pride Month recognition in 2011, including the whole of the
LGBT community.[13][14]Donald Trump declined to offer federal recognition of Pride Month in 2017,[15] though he issued supportive public statements in a series of
Tweets in 2019.[16]Joe Biden recognized Pride Month after taking office in 2021, and vowed to push for
LGBT rights in the United States,[17] despite previously voting against
same-sex marriage and school education of LGBT topics in the
Senate.[18] Pride Month has since grown into a global celebration of LGBTQ+ culture and identity.[19]
International LGBT Pride Day is a day dedicated to
LGBT pride, held on June 28 to commemorate the anniversary of the
Stonewall riots,[20] prior to the entire month becoming associated with LGBT Pride.
The
San Francisco Pride march was promoted as the International Lesbian & Gay Freedom Day Parade from 1981 to 1994, likely the origin of an international pride day.[21]
Serbian group
Arkadija commemorated International Pride Day in 1991 with a forum concerning queer activism and art at
Belgrade Youth Center.[22]Nicaragua's first public pride festival was also held on this day 1991 to commemorate the Stonewall Riots.[23][24] Serbia also marked International Pride Day in between 2013 and 2015 with Hate-Free Zone actions, organized by GSA, Women in Black and other
NGOs.[25]
Some have criticized how many companies release Pride Month-themed products, likening it to the concept of
slacktivism, as the companies are perceived to be using the topic of LGBT rights as a means of profit, without contributing to the movement in a meaningful way.[7] Others have criticized the seemingly hypocritical nature of companies making social media profiles evoke the
rainbow pride flag while refusing to alter the profile pictures in areas without broad LGBT acceptance.[26]
Some religious and cultural groups oppose Pride Month on ideological grounds. They view LGBTQ+ identities and relationships as contrary to their beliefs and traditions. These objections often lead to tensions and conflicts during Pride Month.[27]
Months of the year
New Zealand
Pride month is celebrated at different times throughout New Zealand.[28] In
Auckland, it is celebrated in February,[29][28] and in
Christchurch and
Wellington Pride Month is in March.[28]
Canada
In Canada, rather than Pride Month, celebrations are held from June to September in what is known as
Pride Season.