When the first Gay Pride march took place in London on July 1, 1972, I was too young to understand what was happening. I can’t recall anyone talking about it. Homosexuality was a taboo subject during the 1970s.
It wasn’t until years later, when I could reflect on these events, that I truly understood the significance of that day. I remember feeling a sense of awe and inspiration when I learned about the brave individuals who took part in that march, paving the way for the LGBTQ+ rights we enjoy today.
July 1972
July 1, 1972, was chosen as the date of the first Gay Pride march in London because it was the closest Saturday to the anniversary of the June 28, 1969, Stonewall riots. These riots, a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations by members of the LGBTQ+ community in response to a police raid, are widely considered to be the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.
An estimated 500 people attended the march in London in 1972, which was heavily policed. The police presence, while intended to maintain order, also served as a reminder of the societal attitudes towards homosexuality at the time, which were often hostile and discriminatory.
I regret that I’ve never had the opportunity to meet any of those brave souls who participated in that first march. Their courage as they walked down Oxford Street towards Hyde Park in the face of a society that often viewed them with hostility and discrimination is genuinely admirable.
1980s
The first Pride march I attended was in London during the mid-1980s. The march ended on the embankment where the London Eye now stands. It was a small event with a few stalls and people sitting on blankets on the grass, eating and drinking. I don’t recall any entertainment tents, although I remember a small fun fair and an ice cream van making an excellent trade.
I don’t recall any trouble at this pride event, although there was a high police presence. The atmosphere was celebration and solidarity as LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies united to assert their right to be visible and proud.
Fast forward to the late 1980s, when Pride was getting more prominent. I recall marching down a road in Kennington, South London, and the march being pelted with bottles, eggs, and stones by onlookers who shouted homophobic abuse. Along with several other marchers, I took refuge in a fish and chip shop while the police made arrests. The owner and staff of the shop were very kind and gave first aid to those of us hit by the missiles thrown. Those of us who could continue the march were rewarded with fish and chips as the march headed towards its end in Clapham.
1990s
I continued attending London and Brighton Pride events right into the 1990s as the events grew. On the day of Pride, underground and overground trains, buses, and other forms of transport were filled with a party atmosphere as people made their way to Pride.
I recall seeing a complete diversity of people attending. Everyone was welcome at Pride, and as the event grew, more prominent locations were needed to cope with the number of attendees.
At one Pride march, I recall being dressed in a San Francisco police outfit. Upon entering the park where the event was being held, a group of British policemen approached me. I thought I was going to be arrested, but all they wanted was for me to have my photograph taken with them. What made it more special, though, was that the group of policemen was a mixture of gay, bisexual, and straight officers. They liked my outfit and we laughed and joked about the differences. How the police attitude had changed since the early days of pride.
By the end of the 1990s, arrests on pride marches were made for drug-related crimes rather than for homophobic or threatening behaviour. Society was changing fast and becoming more accepting of the LGBTQ+ community.
The Present and Future of Gay Pride in the UK
Today, gay pride celebrations occur across the UK, including the iconic Pride in London and Brighton Pride. Many are significant events with thousands of people attending, especially when famous pop stars such as Kylie Minogue, The Pet Shop Boys, and Lady Gaga appear on stage.
As I have grown older, attending these events does not appeal to me anymore as I no longer seem to be able to cope with being amongst large crowds. I prefer staying home waving my rainbow flag while watching the celebrations on TV or YouTube.
These events serve as a reminder that the struggle for equality is the responsibility of society as a whole, not just the LGBTQ+ community.
The history of gay Pride in the UK is a testament to the enduring spirit of resilience and the pursuit of equality within the LGBTQ+ community. It serves as a reminder of the progress made and the work that still lies ahead in creating a more inclusive and equitable society.
Proudly waving the rainbow flag, the UK continues to march forward in the journey towards true equality and acceptance for all.
Remember, love is love.
Happy Pride!
Notes from the author.
I’m proud to have attended pride marches and events and helped in the struggle to get LGBTQ+ people equal rights. If it had not been for those struggles, my partner and I would never have been allowed to have our civil partnership in 2006. We now have the same rights as a heterosexual married couple does, although there are still some areas where more work is needed.
I can’t imagine what life would have been like for gay people in the UK before homosexuality was decriminalised in 1967. Having to live a life as a lie and forever being in fear of getting found out and sent to prison for who you were must have been a terrible way to live life.
Of course, discrimination sadly still exists in all forms of life. Hatred toward others simply because they are not the same as us, live like us, or hold the same values should be locked away and forgotten. Remember that in some parts of the world, being a member of the LGBTQ+ society is a punishable crime, sometimes with a death sentence. One day, I hope everyone can love who they want to love and live a peaceful life without being judged by others for it.
If you enjoyed this entry, you might also enjoy the following: ‘True Stories: Gay Memories—The Day My Life Changed.‘
Last month, In this series, the subject was Nightlife. Click the link below to read it.
True Stories: Confessions Of A Gay Man – Nightlife
Three contrasting nights out reveal the challenges and joys of a gay man’s life.
Incidents highlight the struggle for acceptance as well as a changing societal attitude towards the LGBT community in the 1980s and 1990s.
You may laugh, you may cry, but these three true stories about gay nightlife are very different.
Please feel free to ask me any questions by leaving me a comment.
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Hugh's Views & News 
I certainly admire you for attending the pride march when attitudes were more hostile, I’m not sure if I would have had similar courage. But it’s noticeable as your experiences on them went on how much things have improved and that must be incredible to witness. I’m happy you’ve been able to see that change Hugh.
Because of the numbers, I felt safe at the majority of Pride marches, Paul. The worst one was the march through Kennington when we were pelted with stones, bottles, and other missiles. It didn’t stop most of us from continuing the march, though. Pride has now grown into a huge event, much too big for me to attend. Many older gays say the early Pride marches and events were the best. Given the threats we then faced, I find that a bit strange, but those early Pride events had more of a community feel.
I’m happy with how far modern society has come and I hope one day everyone can live like equals everywhere in the world. Reading your post about the Pride marches and events reminds me of the actions and struggles of the Civil Rights movement in the US. There certainly are similarities.
Yes, they are very similar, Liesbet. And it’s good to see the progress over the years. However, we’ve taken a few steps back over the last 10 years. I hope we can make up the lost ground quickly.
I’m grateful that we’ve come a long way, Hugh. But as you point out in your post, we still have work to do to eliminate all forms of discrimination. Have a terrific day!
Different strokes for different folks, Hugh. No one has the right to judge another. I ditto Danny Watts’ comment.
Yes, I agree, Eugi. But the amount of hatred you see towards others is very sad.
Oh, it is, Hugh. There is way too much hate in our world, and for no logical reason.
A wonderful post, Hugh. How people have changed in those few years. It’s great that now most people feel they can be who they are and not live a lie.
I appreciate that there’s still a lot of work to be done, but progress is being made.
If only there was more love in the world, no matter who for. But there’s still a long way to go until hate is banished.
Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I feel that our world has somewhat gone backwards over the last 10 years. Hopefully, we’ll start making more progress again by eradicating hatred towards other people simply because of who they are. Seeing so much hate towards others, especially on social media, saddens me greatly. I block it, but it still sits at the back of my mind.
Bravo and cheers to you for attending these marches, Hugh. I love the story of you dressed like a San Francisco police officer! Thank goodness attitudes and understanding have changed and continue to do so. I think of MLK’s march for peace and acceptance of the black community; sadly, America has a long way to go. Best to you, Hugh.
Given that I have lived in London and Brighton, Jennie, I was keen to attend these events. Most of my friends also wanted to attend, and most of the Pride events I attended were fun. I’d often have friends around for drinks and something to eat before we headed to the march. They were long days and nights, but I couldn’t do it now. It’s great to look back and see how Pride has changed over the years, though.
Hear, hear!
One of my best friends from high school is gay, although he didn’t come out to us until we were in our early 20s. When we went back to our high school for our school reunion, he commented on how far we’ve come when he saw a poster for a pride event in the school. We had a great conversation about how different his life would have been if he had been able to be open about his sexuality as a teenager.
I can relate to what your school friend said, Michelle. Life would have been very different, but then the times were very different when I was at school. It’s odd, but I recall a couple of famous gay people on TV at the time, and everyone laughed at their jokes, yet in the community where I lived, nobody would have dared to say they were gay.
“Ignorance is a choice. Hatred is a choice. Violence is a choice. But someone’s existence is never a choice, or a fault, or a crime.”
Very true. If only everybody thought like that.
Agreed. The good news is, this quote is from a young teenager book of magic (think Harry Potter knockoff). I collect quotes that hit home. Maybe it will hit home with the younger generation.
I think the majority of the younger generation doesn’t care whether anybody is homosexual, bisexual or heterosexual. From what I see on social media, it’s the older generation who spread the hate and who encourage others with their beliefs that they are better than anybody who is not like them. The only good thing is that this older generation is dying out. Let’s hope their hate dies with them.
Absolutely but no one is born hating anyone. They have to learn it from someone. As you said, the hate is dying off but in some cases the damage is done. Thus my hope the quote hits home and they stand up against the misguided.
Great piece of writing and a great example of how the world has changed in such a short time. 40 or even 30 years ago – you would not have published this piece for fear of recrimination and persecution.
I have always said – everyone deserves to be loved. I had very bigoted parents in law who came from a different time, but I certainly made my stance very clear – in the hope it would educate them. It may not have changed their opinions, but hopefully there are enough now who would be happy to share your rainbow flags in solidarity!
Thank you. I think educating (or lack of it) is part of the problem. Times have certainly changed, but it saddens me that some people can not accept others because they live their lives differently.
I certainly would have been too afraid to publish anything about being Gay 50 years ago. And. sadly, whenever I do publish posts like this, I get the trolls arriving with their angry, hatred words. Thank goodness nobody sees those comments apart from me.
Hugh- you would get trolls if you said white bread was better than brown!!! People are just stupid x