The Chicago 50th Annual Pride Parade, scheduled for this coming Sunday June 30 at 12 noon is the culmination of a full month of events coordinated by various community organizations and individuals known as June Pride Month in Chicago.
The theme is Stonewall 50: "Millions of Moments of Pride."
Pride Parades are staged in over 200+ cities worldwide in more than 125+ cities in the United States with at least 12 taking place on the last weekend in June every year. In recent years, many are staged in small towns across the country and recently in various suburbs of Chicago.
ROUTE, TIME, CONTENT: The Chicago Pride Parade, starting at 12 Noon, will take the traditional route starting at the corner of Broadway & Montrose and ending at Diversey & Cannon Drive. The parade will feature 160 floats, decorated vehicles, marching bands, and walking contingents with several new entries.
HISTORY: Pride Parades commemorate the Stonewall rebellion that took place on June 28,1969, when patrons of a New York City gay bar, the Stonewall Inn, fought back during a raid by police. At that time, gay bars were frequently raided across the country. That night, patrons fought back and street demonstrations continued for several days. During that week, gay liberation groups were formed, thus giving birth to the modern day LGBTQ+ rights movement.
GRAND MARSHALS: There will be several Grand Marshals this year including Honorary Grand Marshal Mayor Lori Lightfoot; Youth Grand Marshal Molly Pinta who with her family's support came out and formed the first Pride Parade in Buffalo Grove; Legacy Grand Marshals including longtime pre-Stonewall activists and community business owners, Jim Flint, Marge Summit and Joel Hall; and Organizational Grand Marshal, Indivisible Aurora who organized the first large-scale Pride Parade in Aurora last year, with a second this year.
PRESS CREDENTIALS: Most main stream publications and media already have their own credentials to have street access but are welcome to pick up one of ours on parade day. Alternate publications and media who do not have city issued passes can pick up a media pass at the Check in Table on parade day at the corner of Broadway & Montrose, just south of the corner between 8 AM to 11 AM only. However,ALL MEDIA SOURCES MUST REGISTER WITH US FIRST, including the name of your media source, your name and a cell phone number.. and then we will add your name to the list. If you do not register with us, your name will not be on the list and you will not be issued the pass. Also keep in mind that if security circumstances necessitate it, the police and security have the right to ask you to leave the street and go behind the barricades even if you have a pass.
If you have already sent us your information there is no need to re-send it.
INFORMATION: Web: www.ChicagoPrideCalendar.org E-mail: PrideChgo@aol.com
Richard Pfeiffer, Parade Coordinator
Landline/office number through Saturday only: 773-348-8243 land line/office through Saturday only
Cell Phone: SUNDAY ONLY; 773-263-4143 Cell ( Sunday only )
Further information and inages: www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/2019-PRIDE-PARADE-INFORMATION/66346.html .
