10 Things You Don't Know About Pride Month
Pride is more than parades and flags. Its roots, evolution, and global reach reveal a deeper and often overlooked history.
Pride Month is widely recognized today as a time of parades, festivals, and public celebrations of LGBTQ identity. Across major cities and small towns alike, rainbow flags, corporate sponsorships, and cultural programming fill the month of June, reflecting decades of progress in LGBTQ visibility and civil rights. Yet beneath the surface of this increasingly mainstream observance lies a complex history shaped by activism, struggle, and social transformation.
The origins of Pride Month are rooted in political protest, not public celebration. The first Pride events emerged in direct response to police violence and systemic discrimination that targeted LGBTQ individuals for generations. Over time, these protests have evolved into annual observances that not only commemorate progress but also highlight the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ communities worldwide.
While many are familiar with the broad strokes of Pride’s history, numerous lesser-known facts reveal its deeper complexity. The following list offers a closer look at some of the more unexpected, overlooked, or misunderstood aspects of Pride Month, each contributing to the broader understanding of what Pride represents today.
10. The First Pride Was a Protest, Not a Celebration
The inaugural Pride march took place in New York City in 1970 and was formally known as the Christopher Street Liberation Day March. Organized on the first anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, the event was not intended as a parade or festival. Instead, it was a political demonstration designed to demand equal rights, visibility, and recognition for LGBTQ individuals. Participants marched through the streets to confront public institutions and societal norms that marginalized the community. Over time, this early act of protest evolved into the global Pride movement seen today.
9. Stonewall Wasn’t the First Uprising
While the Stonewall Uprising of 1969 is widely credited with launching the modern LGBTQ rights movement, earlier acts of resistance paved the way. In 1959, LGBTQ patrons at Cooper’s Donuts in Los Angeles fought back against police harassment. In 1966, the Compton’s Cafeteria Riot in San Francisco saw transgender women and drag queens stand up to ongoing police abuse and discrimination. These earlier uprisings highlighted the persistent mistreatment of LGBTQ individuals long before Stonewall captured national attention. The cumulative effect of these events laid critical groundwork for future activism.
8. The NYC Pride March Was Originally Meant to Be a One-Time Event
The first Pride march in New York City was organized as a one-time commemoration of Stonewall’s first anniversary. Activists initially saw it as an opportunity to honor those who resisted police oppression and to bring public attention to LGBTQ issues. However, the energy and turnout from that inaugural march demonstrated a strong appetite for continued visibility and advocacy. What started as a single demonstration quickly transformed into an annual tradition, eventually spreading to cities across the United States and the world. Today, Pride Month is observed in countless locations globally, far exceeding its original scope.
7. Pride Month Has No Single Organizer
Unlike many other commemorative events, Pride Month does not have a governing body or central organizer. Each city, community, or organization takes responsibility for planning its own events, marches, and celebrations. This decentralized approach has allowed Pride to reflect the unique needs, politics, and cultures of different communities while maintaining a shared sense of purpose. The result is a diverse array of events ranging from grassroots protests to corporate-sponsored parades. This flexibility has also helped Pride remain resilient in the face of political and social challenges.
6. “Pride” Was Chosen to Counter Shame
The word "Pride" was deliberately selected to challenge the long-standing culture of shame and secrecy that surrounded LGBTQ identities. For generations, individuals faced criminalization, social ostracism, and professional ruin simply for being open about their sexual orientation or gender identity. By embracing Pride, activists reframed the conversation around dignity, self-worth, and affirmation. The term symbolizes a refusal to accept marginalization and instead celebrates authenticity and visibility. This positive framing remains central to Pride’s enduring message.
5. The Original Pride Flag Had Eight Stripes
The now-iconic rainbow flag was designed by artist Gilbert Baker in 1978, at the request of San Francisco officials seeking a symbol for the movement. Baker’s original design featured eight colors, each representing distinct values such as sex, life, healing, sunlight, nature, magic, serenity, and spirit. Due to fabric availability issues, hot pink and turquoise were eventually removed, resulting in the six-color version widely used today. Despite these changes, the rainbow flag remains one of the most recognized emblems of LGBTQ identity and unity worldwide. Its evolution reflects both practical challenges and the movement's adaptability.
4. Some Countries Ban or Restrict Pride Events
While Pride celebrations flourish in many parts of the world, they remain banned or severely restricted in others. Governments in countries such as Russia, Saudi Arabia, and certain Eastern European nations prohibit public Pride events under morality or public order laws. In these regions, organizers and participants often face legal consequences, harassment, or violence for attempting to hold gatherings. The criminalization of LGBTQ expression highlights the ongoing global struggle for equal rights and freedom of assembly. Even so, underground and online Pride events persist, reflecting the resilience of these communities.
3. Pride Has Expanded Beyond LGBTQ Issues
Although Pride began as a movement for LGBTQ rights, its scope has broadened considerably in recent years. Many Pride events now incorporate broader themes of social justice, including racial equality, women’s rights, disability advocacy, and anti-violence initiatives. This expanded focus recognizes the interconnected nature of systemic discrimination and the diverse identities within the LGBTQ community. Intersectionality has become a defining feature of modern Pride, drawing in allies and partners from across multiple movements. As a result, Pride serves as both a celebration and a platform for a wide range of human rights causes.
2. Pride Month Drives Significant Economic Activity
Beyond its social and political dimensions, Pride Month generates substantial economic benefits for host cities and local businesses. Major Pride events attract millions of participants, leading to increased tourism, hotel bookings, restaurant traffic, and retail sales. Many cities recognize Pride as one of their largest annual revenue-generating events. In addition, corporate sponsorships and branded merchandise contribute significantly to the financial scale of modern Pride celebrations. This economic impact underscores both the growing mainstream acceptance of Pride and ongoing debates over its commercialization.
1. Some Religious Groups Support Pride
While certain religious institutions have historically opposed LGBTQ rights, many faith-based organizations now actively support Pride and LGBTQ inclusion. Denominations such as the United Church of Christ, Reform Judaism, the Episcopal Church, and many Unitarian Universalist congregations openly affirm LGBTQ clergy and members. Some faith groups participate in Pride parades and advocate for equal rights within their religious frameworks. This growing inclusion challenges the narrative that religion and LGBTQ identity are inherently incompatible. It also highlights evolving interpretations of faith traditions in response to contemporary social values.
“The 10” is just a fun and lighthearted diversion from the usual analysis and commentary on More Signal, Less Noise. What topics would you like me to explore in The 10? Let me know in the comments.