In June 1969, members of the gay community staged a series of spontaneous demonstrations at Stonewall Inn in New York City to fight for LGBTQ rights. It is widely considered the beginning of the gay liberation movements in the US.
Today, 48 years since the Stonewall riots, the LGBTQ community annually celebrates Gay Pride through marches and rallies—typically held in June to coincide with the anniversary of the 1969 uprising. These events aim to gather members of the gay community to march and take a stand for their rights, and to raise awareness in modern discrimination.
The waving of the iconic rainbow flag has the people, whether LGBTQ or not, come together to support gay rights
Here are some of the many LGBTQ events around the world on Pride Month.
Singapore’s Gay Pride Rally
Singapore, June 1
Although sexual activity between men is illegal in Singapore, the LGBTQ community in the Lion City is well respected.
The Pink Dot rally organizes the annual Singapore’s Gay Pride Rally since 2009, during which participants wear pink. During the rally at Hong Lim Park, attendees have a picnic first before they form a giant pink dot to show support for inclusiveness, diversity, and the freedom to love.
Equality March for Unity and Pride
Washington D.C., USA, June 11
Thousands of people rallied for LGBTQ rights from Farragut Square to the National Mall in Washington D.C. for the Equality March on June 11. The event’s advocacies highlighted the rights of people with disabilities, the prevention of violence against LGBTQ people, and the rights of LGBTQ immigrants.
The Equality March also doubled as an anti-Trump rally as other participants expressed resistance to the Trump administration. This event also commemorated the 49 lives lost in the mass shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Florida on June 12, 2016.
Pune Pride Parade
Maharashtra, India, June 11
The 7th Pune Parade was held from the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Garden to Garware Chowk, with 700 participants waving rainbow flags and rainbow-colored placards. Parade attendees were asked to “dress decently” in compliance with the country’s culture.
This pride march was a low-key one, but was still given a huge amount of support from members of the LGBTQ community and non-LGBTQ. The participants continuously chanted “Prem mhanje prem asta, tumcha amcha same asta” which translates to “Love is love; whether it’s yours or mine, it’s the same.”
Edinburgh Pride
Edinburgh, Scotland, June 17
Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, celebrated the 22nd year of its pride parade with the theme “Scottish Diversity.” Approximately 10,000 participants marched from the Scottish Parliament to the Teviot House to support the LGBTQ community.
Just like last year, this year’s Edinburgh Pride event was dedicated to the victims of Pulse Nightclub shooting.
This Gay Pride event also had a health and wellbeing fair, entertainment for the whole family, and ceilidh.
Metro Manila Pride March and Festival
Marikina City, Philippines, June 24
The Metro Manila Pride is the longest-running Pride March in Southeast Asia, celebrating its 23rd march this year. “Here Together” was the theme and rallying cry of the MMPride 2017, which was held in Marikina City for the first time.
The event aimed to “tell the country that LGBTQ or not, we are here for each other, for equality, for love, for pride.”
The creation of Permanent Rainbow Crosswalks
The iconic LGBTQ rainbow symbol has been painted permanently on the streets of cities in various countries to show solidarity with the LGBTQ community.
Vancouver, Toronto, San Francisco, Swift Current, Ottawa, and Seattle are just some of the cities that permanently painted a rainbow crosswalk. This action symbolized the recognition of equality around the world.
