Members of the gay community faced a serious threat of being jailed, blackmailed, institutionalized, killed, or even lobotomized for what was then labeled as a sexual perversion and/or mental disorder. Anger and frustration had built across the decades as members of the community often found themselves being singled out by systemic hatred and oppression. Raids of this kind were common at Stonewall, but uncommonly, on this night, the club goers fought back. On June 28, 1969, a club in Manhattan called the Stonewall Inn was raided by police. The LA Pride Festival started in 1974 as a street fair on Sunset Blvd and Cherokee Ave, moved to West Hollywood in 1979. Lillian Faderman can tell you exactly where she was standing on June 28, 1970: at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland. However, the Pride parade was not always a celebration. Actually, Los Angeles hosted the world’s first permitted parade advocating for gay rights on Jas a response to and in commemoration of the Stonewall Rebellion on Christopher Street in New York City the year prior. Marriage equality was afforded only two years ago, and discrimination persists, but these parades exemplify the ability to overcoming struggle and heartache, and choosing to strive toward living as boldly as the colors on the rainbow flag.
![first gay pride parade in los angeles first gay pride parade in los angeles](https://cdn.britannica.com/95/199395-131-1BAC6C4B/women-symbol-lesbian-Gay-pride-human-rights-2015.jpg)
![first gay pride parade in los angeles first gay pride parade in los angeles](https://i.natgeofe.com/n/b4af3226-7b72-429d-9c14-11ddadedbe03/GettyImages-83647140-resize_2x1.jpg)
The parade in itself is an acknowledgement of the struggles faced throughout history by members of the community, and the issues they continue to face.
![first gay pride parade in los angeles first gay pride parade in los angeles](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4055544/2147483647/strip/true/crop/640x336+0+57/resize/1200x630!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Flegacy%2Fi%2Ffc1f4d354c3964aba1c5541ceae14780%2F5b29b3840161a1000dd5c1d5-original.jpg)
Pride parades are famous for bright colors, daring outfits, and for uplifting the LGBTQ community (and glitter - lots and lots of glitter).