50 years ago this weekend, the world’s first Pride marches took place in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The protests, to mark the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in 1969 – sparked a movement which has now spread around the world.
This amazing video from 1970 is now part of the US Library of Congress’ collection. Simply called Gay and Proud by Lilli Vincenz, it depicts the march in New York on 28 June 1970.
Back then, it wasn’t called Pride but the Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade. The pioneers carried banners reading ‘Gay Pride’ and ‘Smash sexism.
Gays unite now’. They marched chanting ‘Gay, gay, all the way’ and ‘Say it loud! Gay and proud!’ Meanwhile, the film shows a glimpse of the huge crowds the