June 1970 marked the first official Pride parade, a distinct act of homosexual representation and liberation throughout the Unites States. Further relating to prevalent societal challenges surrounding the issue of sexuality and sexual desires, specifically homosexuality, the origination of pride parades served to combat, dispell, and challenge these feelings from the start. Within the United States, the city of Chicago held the first pride parade on June 27, 1970. This first assembly was marked by the attendance of around 150 marchers fighting for power to be given to the gay people living within the city and nation. 

Further relating to the riots that occured at Stonewall, some years before, these assemblies, riots, and parades all served to support one belief and one mission– the rights and representation of those who are otherwise oppressed. A New York Times article, written by Amy Waldman explores the existence of these parades in response to the Stonewall riots and how such marches continue to pave the way for overall freedom, equality and representation for the homosexual community. Waldman states, “The parade was a tapestry of stories and a tableau of images,” serving to further the conversation surrounding the purpose of the parade and, specifically, what such an assembly can do to spark change and difference among the nation.

Furthermore, it can be said that, often, homosexual citizens within the United States are viewed as marginalized minorities, often finding themselves fighting for rights and representation that comes so easily to others. The origination and existence of Pride parades, nationwide and globally, serve to further challenge the previous notions and beliefs of unequal representation and difference. The issue and relevance of topics such as this often stem from political topics found within a country’s political system. Caroline Beer and Victor Cruz-Aceves state that, “Modernization theory argues that urban, wealthier, and better-educated states will have stronger democracies and greater human rights protections.” The entirety of the study, performed by Beer and Cruz-Aceves, furthers the conversation surrounding homosexual representation and equal rights.

Still today, in the United States the issues surrounding representation and rights are still present. The LGBTQIA+ community, still today, fights for their own rights and representation throughout society, striving to make their voices heard regardless of the differing opinions that may exist within society. Gay activism is still very much a part of present-day society as news articles and sources are often riddled with the topic of homosexuality and its representation. Recurring topics, such as this, are often represented throughout society in a variety of manners. The issues and challenges that the LGBTQIA+ community faces are not new and contemporary issues. Instead, these trials date back to fifty years ago and the fight for representation has not ceased.

Works Cited

Beer, Caroline, and Victor D. Cruz-Aceves. “Extending Rights to Marginalized Minorities: Same-Sex Relationship Recognition in Mexico and the United States.” State Politics & Policy Quarterly, vol. 18, no. 1, 2018, pp. 3–26, https://www.jstor.org/stable/26973412. Accessed 1 May 2022.

 Waldman, Amy. "30 Years After Stonewall, Diversity Is Shown in Gay Pride Parade: 30 Years After Stonewall, Diversity Shows in Gay Pride March." New York Times (1923-), Jun 28, 1999, pp. 3. ProQuest,  http://ulib.iupui.edu/cgi-bin/proxy.pl?url=http://search.proquest.com/hi....