Chicago Pride Parade 40th anniversary

SIGN LANGUAGE As this film still from the 1970 Pride Parade shows, the first celebration featured a lot more clothing than we’re used to.

Photo: Alan Amberg Papers, Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

THEN

Location
There were no floats at the first Pride event, and no streets were blocked off, according to parade organizer Richard Pfeiffer. That’s because Chicago’s first Pride, organized to commemorate the Stonewall Riots one year earlier, wasn’t a parade at all—it was a sidewalk march that started at Washington Square Park at Clark Street and Delaware Place. Activists gave speeches, then hoofed it down Michigan Avenue into the Loop.

Time
The first march lasted less than an hour.

Crowd
About 100–150 people marched in 1970.

Hot-button issue
Visibility. Original marchers caught hell from suit-and-tie members of the LGBT community who feared gays being out and open would upset the status quo. Even after Stonewall, Chicago bar owners paid the police not to raid their establishments.

Eye candy
Drag queens, street activists and young people were among the few bold enough to wear their queerness on their sleeves.

Spirit of the times
They were an angry bunch. After decades of inequality and gay oppression, these folks were mad as hell.

Now

Location
In its second year, the parade was rerouted to Lakeview, where it’s taken place ever since. Participation by local businesses and nonprofits has grown so much that parade organizers now cap the number of floats at 250.

Time
Ugh, does this thing ever end? The 2009 event is expected to last about three hours. Wear sunscreen.

Crowd
The City of Chicago ballparks attendance at this year’s parade at 400,000 to 450,000.

Hot-button issue
Marriage equality, baby! Tell Obama to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act—and Don’t Ask Don’t Tell while he’s at it.

Eye candy
Muscle marys, sporty dykes, circuit queens, leather daddies, angry lesbians, bears, cubs, otters, bisexuals, FTMs, MTFs, tranny chasers, fag hags, fag stags, hipsters, fisters, mommies, metrosexuals, intersexuals, tops, bottoms…and even straight people.

Spirit of the times
In the wake of the upholding of Prop 8 and the failure of the Illinois Civil Unions Bill to reach the General Assembly floor last month, organizers suspect this year will be as full of anger as hope. Expect lots of signage.

The 40th annual Chicago Pride Parade steps off at the corner of Belmont and Halsted Streets Sunday 28 at noon.

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