WRITTEN BY LACHS BOARD MEMBER PEBBLA WALLACE
EDITED BY BOARD MEMBER ADAM LINDER
The Los Angeles Pride Parade and Festival—known today as LA Pride—began on June 28, 1970, in Hollywood to commemorate the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City. It was one of the first Pride parades in the world.
The event was organized by the Christopher Street West Association (CSW), founded by Rev. Bob Humphries, Rev. Troy Perry, and Morris Kight. The organization was named after Christopher Street, home to the Stonewall Inn.
Prior to Stonewall, Los Angeles was actually one of the first demonstrations against police brutality in 1967. On New Year 1967, at the Black Cat in Silver Lake, officers beat and arrested patrons at this local bar. Shortly after, on February 11, 1967, almost 200 people showed up to protest the attacks.
A Groundbreaking Beginning
The LA Pride parade’s origins were met with significant resistance from city officials and law enforcement. Organizers faced numerous obstacles and were ultimately forced to go to court to obtain a permit, making this the first officially permitted Pride parade in the United States. The inaugural event began with a carnival—featuring rides, games, food, and vendor booths—set up in a Hollywood parking lot. It drew an estimated 2,000 participants, setting the stage for what would become an enduring tradition.
Evolution Over the Decades
1979: The official LA Pride was moved to the unincorporated area of West Hollywood, as the City of Los Angles was dealing with rising negative public sentiment towards LAPD.
1980s: The parade served as both a celebration and a vital platform for protest, particularly during the height of the AIDS crisis, which had a devastating impact on the LGBTQ+ community.
1990s: LA Pride began to enter the mainstream, growing in size, media coverage, and public support. It evolved into a multi-day celebration featuring concerts, festivals, and a range of community events.
2020: For the first time, the in-person parade was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, after 30 years, LA Pride officially separated from the now incorporated City of West Hollywood. In its place, CSW organized an All Black Lives Matter solidarity march, back in its original home of Hollywood, in response to the murder of George Floyd and nationwide protests—highlighting a renewed commitment to intersectionality and social justice. West Hollywood began their own internal Pride celebration, now held the weekend before the official LA Pride.
June 2025, the first year LACHS will be at LA Pride.
LA Pride Today
In recent years, LA Pride has continued to grow in scope and visibility. Its themes now emphasize diversity, inclusion, and solidarity with other civil rights movements. What began as a groundbreaking local event has become part of a global celebration of LGBTQIA+ pride and visibility.
