PARADE 1972 First Gay Pride Parade in San Francisco
PARADE 1972
This film of the very first Gay Pride Parade in San Francisco was believed to be lost for almost 50 years. This was actually the first “official” gay parade, organized with permits by the city. The very first parade was held a year after the Stonewall Riots (1970) on Folsom Street, organized by the rock group Black Sabbath as a promotional event for a number of emerging bands.
That parade followed two years later (1972), with a huge attendance and a lot of very brave people. Notice the turnout was sparse (only two blocks of well-wishers turned out to watch the begining of the parade, but the atmosphere was electric. Filmed in in financial district near Market Street, the sparseness helped the film makers with their interviews on the street. A huge crowd collected at City Hall. Chase felt that gay people should make their own case to the public, and this film was made in hope it might be helpful in changing attitudes in the straight community.
Now, the people in this film are perceived as pioneers - in 1972 they were simply weirdos.
