In particular, lesbians, people of color, and transgender people have struggled to obtain prominent billing in celebrations that have often been dominated by white gay men. In addition, LGBT people have held several major marches on Washington, D.C., demanding changes to various federal and state policies.īecause pride marches and parades constitute one of the most conspicuous forms of self-expression and display on the part of LGBT communities, they have been the focus of numerous controversies. Most major cities and many other municipalities today host annual LGBT pride parades in late June, near the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City. Drawing on queer traditions of camp and outrageous style, these parades have been opportunities for LGBT people to make themselves visible to one another and to their surrounding communities.
Marches and parades celebrating 'pride' and protesting oppression have been a central part of LGBT culture in the United States since the gay liberation movement began in the late 1960s.
