How Pride Parades Became a Global Movement
Every June, streets all over the world erupt in color, music, and identity. But Pride Month isn’t just a celebration. It’s a continuation of a powerful legacy.
From riots to runways, protest signs to pride t shirts, this movement transformed visibility into power.
From Stonewall to the First March (1969–1970)
The modern LGBTQ+ rights movement began in New York City on June 28, 1969, when a police raid at the Stonewall Inn triggered days of protests led by the most marginalized voices, particularly trans women of color.
One year later, thousands marched in what would become the first Pride Parade, known as the Christopher Street Liberation Day March.
June 1970 – Frank Kameny and the Mattachine Society of Washington. Activism like this helped pave the way for the first Pride. Tobin, Kay (Photographer) - From The New York Public Library
Pride Goes Global: Key Cities That Shaped History
🌈 New York City (USA)
Still home to NYC Pride, this is where it all began. Over time, the parade evolved into a massive event that attracts millions of attendees, with the Stonewall legacy at its heart.
🌈 São Paulo (Brazil)
One of the largest pride parades in the world, São Paulo Pride began in 1997 and now gathers over 3 million peopleannually. It mixes celebration with fierce political activism, especially around anti-LGBTQ+ violence in Brazil.
🌈 Madrid (Spain)
Madrid hosts MADO (Madrid Orgullo), Europe’s largest pride event. In 2017, it was chosen as the site of WorldPride, marking Spain’s central role in advancing LGBTQ+ rights.
👉 Read more at MADO’s official site
🌈 Tel Aviv (Israel)
A symbol of pride in the Middle East, Tel Aviv Pride draws over 250,000 people yearly. Its visibility has helped spark change across the region, even in places where LGBTQ+ rights remain under threat.
🌈 Taipei (Taiwan)
The largest Pride in Asia, Taipei Pride has grown into a regional hub for visibility and change, especially after Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage in 2019.
9th LGBT Pride - Taipei, 2011 - Shih-Shiuan Kao from Taipei, Taiwan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
What Pride Parades Stand For
Pride parades aren’t just about celebration. They’re about belonging, about saying “we are here” even when the world says otherwise.
That’s why pride apparel, from gay pride t shirts to pride parade outfits, carries real symbolic weight.
👉 Discover the Pride Nation Collection
👉 Explore Miltti’s sustainable pride t-shirts
More Than Fashion: Wearing Pride Every Day
For many, what they wear to Pride is deeply personal, a way to honor their past, identity, and journey. Whether it’s a bi pride merch item, a shirt gay pride, or a pride outfit created with eco-conscious production, every piece tells a story.
👉 Why queer fashion is more than just rainbow merch
Final Thoughts
Pride parades remind us that being visible is still a radical act.
They honor those who dared to march when it was dangerous, and empower us to keep walking.
So whether you’re joining a parade, cheering from home, or just rocking your favorite pride t shirt on a Tuesday. You’re part of something bigger.
👉 Explore how we bring Pride, purpose, and bold streetwear together
Written by the Miltti Team | June 2025