Early Sparks of LGBT Resistance

Though the Stonewall Uprising of 1969 is often hailed as the defining act of queer resistance, LGBT activists had already been pushing back nationwide years earlier—first at LA’s Cooper Do‑nuts sit‑in, and later at the Compton Café riot. But when Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day hit Manhattan streets in 1970, isolated acts of defiance evolved into something more commanding: collective power.

Protest to Parade¹

Although the Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day put parades into motion, it took years—decades—for Pride to become officially recognized in North America and beyond. Here are a few notable global landmark moments and their Pride themes:

London, England (November 1970)

Roughly 2,000 people took to the streets with London’s Gay Liberation Front for Britain’s first Pride march—an echo of America’s early protests—and closed it out with a kiss‑in at Trafalgar Square.

“Gay is Good”

“All Power to Oppressed People”

“Come Out”²

San Francisco, CA (June 1976)

Mayor George Moscone issued the first official Gay Freedom Day proclamation in 1976.

“Our Diversity Is Our Strength”³

Johannesburg, South Africa (October 1990)

GLOW — the Gay and Lesbian Organisation of the Witwatersrand organized South Africa’s first pride parade.

“We’re here, we’re queer, we’re everywhere!”‍⁴

Toronto, ON (June 1991)

The Toronto City Council officially proclaimed Lesbian and Gay Pride Day, marking the city’s first formal municipal endorsement of Pride celebrations.

"Everyday, Everywhere: A New Decade of Pride"⁵

New York City, NY (June 1998)

Mayor Rudy Giuliani issued Proclamation 292‑98 in June 1998, declaring June as Lesbian and Gay Pride and History Month in New York City.

“Unity Through Diversity”

U.S. Federal Recognition (June 1999)

President Bill Clinton signed Proclamation 7203 on June 11, 1999, formally designating June as “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month” across the United States.

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Here are few more official unforgettable rallying cries from 1999:

“Proud Heritage, Powerful Future”
— San Francisco Pride (June 26–27, 1999)

“Pride = Power”
Chicago Pride (June 1999)

“Prideful Past, Powerful Future”⁹

— Atlanta Pride (October 1999)

#PrideHeroes
— London, UK (2015)  Pride in London 

“International Gay Solidarity Day” 
— Sydney, Australia (June 24 1978) National Museum Australia

‍“Remember the Past, Create the Future”
— Amsterdam, Netherlands (2019) TheBUZZ Magazine

“Whoever you love, Madrid loves you!”
— Madrid, Spain (July 2017) WorldPride Madrid

“Press on till Japan Changes”
— Tokyo, Japan (2023) Tokyo Rainbow Pride

“Nur gemeinsam stark – Für Demokratie und Vielfalt”
(Together we take a stand! Democracy needs Diversity!)
— Berlin, Germany (2024) Christopher Street Day Berlin Pride

‍“Freedom”
— Toronto, Canada (2019) TheBUZZ Magazine

‍“Out of the closet and into the streets” 
— Cape Town, South Africa (1993) Cape Town Pride

“Por un país sin violencia institucional ni religiosa. Basta de crímenes de odio.”
("For a country without institutional or religious violence. Enough of the hate crimes.")|
— Buenos Aires, Argentina (2019) March of Pride (Buenos Aires) Wikipedia

‍"We are many, we are everywhere and in all professions"
— São Paulo, Brazil (1997) Newsweek

“Together We Rise”
— San Diego, USA (2020) San Diego Pride

Pride’s evolution kicked off on Christopher Street with a handful of marchers rallying behind the banner “Gay Pride,” their voices echoing the unofficial anthem “out, loud and proud.” From that first spark of protest, theme after theme blossomed—each slogan capturing our collective spirit, and answering the moment’s call. That energy lit the way for the parades and gatherings we celebrate today.

Below are the top Pride theme’s for 2025, and a few bangers from past Prides around the world.