SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The monthlong celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride reached its exuberant grand finale on Sunday, bringing rainbow-laden revelers to the streets for marquee parades in San Francisco, New York, Chicago and elsewhere across the globe.
The wide-ranging festivities functioned as both jubilant parties and political protests, as participants recognize the community’s gains while also calling attention to recent anti-LGBTQ+ laws, such as bans on transgender health care, passed by Republican-led states.
San Francisco Pride is one of the largest LGBTQ+ celebrations in the world, with over 200 parade contingents and exhibitors, and many community-run stages and venues.
According to their website, the annual parade and festival bring together over a million people from around the world to celebrate the beauty and resilience of the gay community.
On June 27, 1970, a tiny band of hippies and “hair fairies” staged San Francisco’s first Pride celebration with a march on Polk Street.
Spectators wave rainbow colored flags while cheering parade participants during the San Francisco Pride Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, June 30, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
A dog with rainbow colored wings rides in a wagon while participating during the San Francisco Pride Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, June 30, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Members of the San Francisco Pride Band perform while marching down Market Street during the San Francisco Pride Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, June 30, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
A parade participant strikes a pose while marching during the San Francisco Pride Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, June 30, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Spectators watch the parade from a balcony during the San Francisco Pride Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, June 30, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
A dancer waves a pride flag during the San Francisco Pride Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, June 30, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Spectators wave rainbow colored flags while cheering parade participants during the San Francisco Pride Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, June 30, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
A parade participant gestures during the San Francisco Pride Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, June 30, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Parade participants march during the San Francisco Pride Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, June 30, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
A parade participant smiles while marching during the San Francisco Pride Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, June 30, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Parade participants march during the San Francisco Pride Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, June 30, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
A rider on a motorcycle waves the pride flag during the San Francisco Pride Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, June 30, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Members of the Chinese Rainbow Network wave rainbow colored fans during the San Francisco Pride Parade in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, June 30, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)