Celebrating 50 Years of Seattle Pride

For Seattle, celebrating 50 years of Pride is about honoring the past while pushing for progress. This year’s theme, “NOW!,” is both a call to action and a nod to the origins of Seattle Pride, reflecting our city’s history of leading the movement for queer rights.

Seattle’s LGBTQ+ history stretches back to the late 1800s when Pioneer Square, known at the time as “Fairyville,” was a sanctuary for the queer community, housing thriving gay bars and social spaces.

In 1974, a picnic organized by activist David Neth brought fewer than 200 people to Occidental Square Park. This modest event marked the beginning of what would become one of Seattle’s most lively, fun, and anticipated annual traditions. Just three years later, Seattle’s first official Pride Parade took place, drawing more than 2,000 participants who marched from Occidental Square Park to Westlake Park. Today, it is Washington’s largest parade, bringing together more than 300,000 people. This year, Seattle celebrities Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird will serve as grand marshals.

Amidst the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, which profoundly impacted gay communities nationwide, Seattle became the second municipality in the nation to fund AIDS research and treatment. During this time, organizations like the People of Color Against AIDS Network (POCAAN) emerged, addressing the epidemic’s intersection with racial inequality.

https://seattlemag.com/seattle-culture/celebrating-50-years-of-seattle-pride/