Pride is becoming a global celebration, so you’ll find parades and parties in many, many countries. Each place gives its own queer touch to this colorful date, but it’s always based on equal rights and respect. Learn more on Pride Day and get an answer to questions like: where is the biggest Pride celebration? Do they set off fireworks in NYC at Pride parades?
Pride in the United States: celebrations in Los Angeles, New York City, Washington DC and San Francisco. The Stonewall Riots happened in the United States, as you may know. This has led to major LGBT events around the country. In Los Angeles, they celebrate Pride Day with a huge parade, music events, and even with some circus nights. For its part, the LGTB Pride March in New York is one of the well-known LGBT community events–they also set off some fireworks! Of course, there are other events during NYC pride such as Fantasy Days, Pride Island, Youth Pride, and many conferences. Washington DC also offers several entertaining activities! Have fun at Capital Pride Rooftop Pool Party, attend the Official Opening Party, take part in the parade, or pay homage to important activists at the Capital Pride Honor. Are you going to miss it? San Francisco Pride is another major event in the United States. It’s very well-known for its parade and festival. They last two days and they take place during the last full weekend of June. The parade gathers different contingents. Among the most famous ones, you’ll find Dykes on Bikes, leather and BDSM groups, or LGBT-affirming religious groups, Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG.)
Tel Aviv Pride, celebrating Gay Pride Month in Israel. There wasn’t a Tel Avid Pride parade until 1993, because homosexuality was banned in Israel until 1988. Still, some protest against discrimination took place in 1979, which can be seen as the first Pride event in Tel Aviv. The queer community has gained many rights over the years and, today, it’s considered one of the most gay-friendyy places in the World. As you can see, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate Pride. Apart from the parade, you can attend and enjoy the afterparty, concerts… You can even find water parks hosting LGBT parties! Have a look at celebrations like “It’s Britney” or “Tel a Beef,” you’ll be completely delighted. If you are interested in drag queen performances, then Wigstock is your cup of tea. There will be drag queens, glitter, djs, and tons of colors.
São Paulo LGBTQ Pride Parade (Parada do Orgulho LGBTQ de São Paulo). For many years, the São Paulo LGBTQ Pride Parade has been listed as the biggest pride parade in the World for many years. It gathers three to five million attendees annually, but why is Pride Month and Day so much anticipated in Brazil? The most important activity during São Paulo Gay Pride is the mesmerizing parade. You’ll enjoy the great trio electricos (floats) together with rainbow flags and many other decorations. It takes place on the Sunday after Corpus Christi, in June. During five days, many other activities are offered to the general public, although there are many events occurring three weeks before the parade! There are street markets, plays, concerts, cultural events, dance performances, or food trucks, for example. Get your rainbow flag and your glitter ready!
Madrid Pride: the biggest pride parade in Europe. Madrid Pride, also known as Orgullo Gay de Madrid or MADO, takes place during the first weekend after June 28th. Rightly, it is organized in Chueca, an area of central Madrid, known as the gay nieghborhood. How do the Spanish celebrate this day? You can attend the pride parade during the Saturday after June 28th. Flags and floats decorate the skies with the bright colors of the rainbow. Of course, the parade is not the only event you can enjoy. If you like culture, there are three related festivals you must take into consideration: MUESTRA·T, La Culta, and La Oculta. MUESTRA·T is a mixture of theatrical arts, literature, fine arts, and film screenings. La Culta is a social art festival that helps put the LGBT movement in context, emphasizing the feelings of the queer community using art as a tool. La Oculta merges culture and history with activism and vindication.