“The LGBT Pride Parade was very celebratory from 1972 to 1976,” said Greg Pennington, a founder of the GLBT Historical Society. “It became more political in 1977 to 1979 because of the Anita Bryant campaign to repeal gay rights ordinances and the Briggs Initiative (an unsuccessful 1978 California ballot measure) to ban gay schoolteachers. From 1982 to 1985, the parade was focused on the AIDS crisis.” “In 1980 there were carnival rides in Civic Center for the festival for the only time, and many railed at the lack of a political focus that year. With the advent of same-sex marriage and increased public acceptance of LGBT rights, the tone has been decidedly celebratory - and corporate, as more firms realize that supporting LGBT causes is good business. But this year, expect a lot more than just sequins and company logos.
The theme of this year’s parade is “For Racial and Economic Quality.” The Black Lives Matter organization has been selected as a community grand marshal, and there is heated political opposition to “bathroom laws” that target transgender people in North Carolina. Most dramatically, the nation is reeling from the June 12 massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando - and a remembrance of the victims will be an important, heartfelt feature of the weekend.
