Pride 1974

Contains: photos

On June 30, 1974, photographer Greg Gaar captured scenes from the fifth Gay Freedom Day parade. The parade ran from Pine and Montgomery Streets to O'Farrell Street, then west to Polk Street, ending at the Civic Center. There, a crowd estimated of about a thousand people gathered for a street fair and concert.

Led by a fife and drum, the parade had a theme of "Gay Freedom by '76." Organizer Michael Bumblebee said, "We hope to end all discrimination against gay people by 1976 - discrimination in jobs, housing and other areas."

After several name changes, the parade is now known as San Francisco Pride (<a href='http://www.sfpride.org' target='_blank'>http://www.sfpride.org</a>), the largest gathering of LGBTQ people and allies in the nation. In 2019, it will consist of more than 200 contingents, twenty stages and venues, and near two million participants and attendees.</p>

Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Jeremy, Esmerelda, and Jamian Merlin on stage at end of Gay Freedom Day parade.]

Civic Center
Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Audience member with aluminum foil headwrap at end of Gay Freedom Day parade.]

Civic Center
Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Shirtless man in shorts stretching during fair and concert at end of Gay Freedom Day parade. Sign in background reads 'Gay Catholics Have Dignity.']

Civic Center
Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Couple dancing at fair and concert at end of Gay Freedom Day parade. City Hall in background.]

Civic Center
Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Couple dancing at fair and concert at end of Gay Freedom Day parade. City Hall in background.]

Civic Center
Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Looking toards McAllister and Larkin. Man in bandana and cape (?) dancing at fair and concert at end of Gay Freedom Day parade. State building at left, Asian Art Museum (then-Main Library) at right in background.]

Civic Center
Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Men dancing at fair and concert at end of Gay Freedom Day parade.]

Civic Center
Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Clown, bicyclist with American flag, and third person talking at end of Gay Freedom Day parade.]

Civic Center
Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Singer Pristine Condition in front of City Hall at end of Gay Freedom Day parade.]

Civic Center
Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Men dancing in crowd at end of Gay Freedom Day parade.]

Civic Center
Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Men dancing in crowd at end of Gay Freedom Day parade, one with 'Soviet Youth' pin.]

Civic Center
Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Jamian Merlin in feathers, glitter, and lame sitting on stage at end of Gay Freedom Day parade. Member of band Colefeat?]

Civic Center
Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Tahara of the Angels of Light at microphone during concert at end of Gay Freedom Day parade. Member of band Colefeat?]

Civic Center
Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Jamian Merlin in feathers, glitter, and lame sitting on stage with umbrella at end of Gay Freedom Day parade. Member of band Colefeat? Older man with camera behind.]

Civic Center
Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Tahara of the Angels of Light at microphone during concert at end of Gay Freedom Day parade. Member of band Colefeat?]

Civic Center
Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Tahara of the Angels of Light at microphone during concert at end of Gay Freedom Day parade. Member of band Colefeat?]

Civic Center
O'Farrell & Polk
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O'Farrell & Polk

Gay Freedom Day [Gay Freedom Day parade. Empress IX and Emperor II of San Francisco passing Boas Pontiac (Building no longer stands) with standard bearers.]

Tenderloin
O'Farrell & Polk
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O'Farrell & Polk

Gay Freedom Day [Gay Freedom Day parade. Empress IX and Emperor II of San Francisco passing Boas Pontiac building with standard bearers. Crowd laughing and taking photographs. Unocal 76 gas station on corner of Geary.]

Tenderloin
O'Farrell & Polk
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O'Farrell & Polk

Gay Freedom Day [Motorized cable car passing with riders holding beers during Gay Freedom Day parade.]

Tenderloin
O'Farrell & Polk
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O'Farrell & Polk

Gay Freedom Day [Couple in drag, one with padding to appear pregnant, waving at crowd during Gay Freedom Day parade.]

Tenderloin