50th Anniversary of First UK Pride Event Sparks Reflection on Progress and Challenges
LGBT+ History Month, a grassroots initiative founded by Professor Emeritus Sue Sanders of the Harvey Milk Institute, continues to offer free resources aimed at educating about prejudice and supporting the visibility, safety, and pride of LGBT+ people. The organization’s team, all volunteers, works tirelessly from home after their regular jobs to create these resources.
This year’s celebration is particularly significant, as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the first official Pride event in the UK, which took place in London on 1 July 1972 with about 2,000 participants. Fast forward to 2019, and the parade attracted over 1.5 million attendees, making it the UK’s largest Pride event. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of these celebrations in 2020 and 2021.
Stonewall, a leading LGBT+ advocacy group, emphasized that the 50th anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the past and ask what lies ahead. Despite significant progress, LGBT+ people continue to face violence, discrimination, and exclusion globally. The organization urged the community and allies to think about the world they want for LGBT+ individuals by 2072.
