The Top 5 Gay Prides in the World
Monday 1st September 2008
With the end of summer, Pride season is winding down. Hopefully you managed to take in a Pride or two and enjoyed some fun and companionship and helped to promote understanding and equality. If, however, your summer was just a bit too busy to make it to the Prides, have no fear. We’ve put together a list of the top 5 greatest Pride events in the world, so you can make next summer more spectacular than ever. And considering they’re in some of the greatest travel spots in the world, you’ve got a great excuse to book your plane tickets now!
1. Sao Paulo
It’s only fitting that the world’s biggest gay Pride takes place in a country famed for its hard partying parades. Rio may have Carnival, but Sao Paulo has a Pride to end all Prides. Last year more than 1 million people took part in the actual parade alone according to Reuters, with 5 million attending the festivities. The Pride features a parade as only a Brazilian festival could. Exploding with color, music and people, Sao Paulo Pride makes other Prides seem to pale in comparison. In a country where homosexuality is not universally accepted, it’s amazing to see such a display of pride and support for the community. And the Pride has been active in promoting gay acceptance worldwide. When Moscow officials used their power to prevent a Pride being held in the city, Sao Paulo twinned with Moscow Pride and brought over some of its participants to allow them to experience a true Pride. The Pride will occur in May 2009, and with the millions expected to attend it would probably be best to book your tickets now.
2. New York
Former NYC Mayor Ed Koch at the 2007 Pride. Image by Boss Tweed.
New York has arguably been the most important city in the world of the last 100 years. It’s also one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the US, with the biggest gay community in the country at around 300,000 noted in the last census, almost 3 times as many as San Francisco. According to ChicagoPride.com, more than 1 million people visited the last Pride. They say New York is the city that never sleeps, and at its Pride you can almost believe that the organizers haven’t slept for a year to make it amazing. The Pride is arguably the oldest in America, with the city seeing the first ever “Pride” in 1970 in commemoration of the Stonewall riots. The parade route still pays homage to that historic event, travelling down Christopher Street where the riots occurred. Featuring all the beautiful people and floats you’d expect from New York, it’s one not to miss. Visit the city during the last week of June for the full week of Pride festivities.
3. London
London Mayor Boris Johnson on his bus float at London Pride 2008. Image by Robert Knox.
London is staking its claim to becoming the LGBT capital of Europe. With its thriving scene in Soho and the growing respect for and understanding of LGBT culture (see The Independent’s yearly Pink List of the 100 most influential gay businesspeople) it’s little wonder that London hosts the biggest Pride on the continent, with two weeks of celebration of gay culture ending in a spectacular parade. Boasting around 825,000 visitors this year according to London Pride and official police figures, the parade included such figures as London Mayor Boris Johnson and the first ever example of out soldiers marching in uniform at Pride. The afterparty is always a spectacular, with entertainment that includes some of the hottest names in the business. This year Sir Ian McKellen was on hand to whip the crowd into a frenzy, not that they really needed it after such an exciting day.
4.San Francisco
Famed lesbian comedian Margaret Cho at San Francisco Pride 2008. Image by Bastique.
What list of Pride’s would be complete without the world’s gayest city? San Francisco was one of the first cities in the world to have a pride, with their first held in 1970 on the one year anniversary of the Stonewall riots. San Francisco would also see the first ever use of the rainbow flag, designed by Gilbert Baker for the 1978 Pride. If the history of the city’s LGBT community isn’t enough to grab you, maybe the massive parties are. CBS estimated that around 1.2 million people flooded the streets of Castro and the gay district this year to watch the parade, after which the city came alive with celebrations in the streets, bars and clubs. You owe it to yourself to one day visit the city that has been so central to the LGBT community this century. The Pride is always the last weekend in June, to commemorate the Stonewall riots.
5. Amsterdam
Dutch celebrities Hans Klok and Gerald Joling on a float at Amsterdam Pride 2008. Image by FaceMePLS
The Netherlands have a reputation as one of the most tolerant and open cultures in the world, and have long been supportive of their LGBT community. The country’s biggest city, Amsterdam, has a large and thriving LGBT community. The combination of a tolerant and fun-loving culture and the city’s gorgeous architecture makes Amsterdam Pride one of the most amazing and unique in the world. More than 500,000 people hit the streets of the city this summer to view the famous Canal Parade, according to Pride organizers. Here the parade floats are literally floats. The Pride parade takes place in the city’s canals, with a record 80 boats this year floating through the city as spectators lined the streets to celebrate. Next year’s parade is tentatively scheduled for July 31-August 2, make sure you check out this unique celebration.
Don't agree with our rankings? Let us know your own Top 5 Prides list at info@pinke.biz.
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