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>

O'Farrell & Polk
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O'Farrell & Polk

Gay Freedom Day [Gay Freedom Day parade crowd in front of Mitchell Brothers O'Farrell Theatre.]

Tenderloin
O'Farrell & Polk
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O'Farrell & Polk

Gay Freedom Day [Gay Freedom Day parade crowd in front of Mitchell Brothers O'Farrell Theatre.]

Tenderloin
Larkin & O'Farrell
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Larkin & O'Farrell

Gay Freedom Day [Mime with sign advertising Circus Circus, an Imperial Court event at California Hall in July 1974, at Gay Freedom Day parade in front of 800 Larkin Street (then Vagabond bar)

Tenderloin
Unknown Location
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Unknown Location

Gay Freedom Day [Portrait of man with knit cap and crucifix, likely during Gay Freedom Parade.]

Unknown Location
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Unknown Location

Gay Freedom Day [Wally, a Cockette with makeup, hair bow, glitter, nose ring, and champagne glass at Gay Freedom Day parade.]

O'Farrell near Larkin
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O'Farrell near Larkin

Gay Freedom Day [View east at approaching Gay Freedom Day parade. Line of police on motorcycles ahead of drum and fife group, flags. Bars visible include Vagabond, Short-Stop, Lambo's Nite Cap. Michael Cleaners, Rainbow Hotel, Alberto's Body Shop, Lew's Cafe Chinese and American Food, Marine World Africa USA billboard.]

Tenderloin
O'Farrell near Larkin
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O'Farrell near Larkin

Gay Freedom Day [View east at approaching Gay Freedom Day parade. Line of police on motorcycles ahead of drum and fife group, flags. Bars visible include Vagabond, Short-Stop, Lambo's Nite Cap. Michael Cleaners, Rainbow Hotel, Alberto's Body Shop, Lew's Cafe Chinese and American Food.]

Tenderloin
O'Farrell near Larkin
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O'Farrell near Larkin

Gay Freedom Day [View east at approaching Gay Freedom Day parade. Line of police on motorcycles ahead of drum and fife group, flags. Bars visible include Vagabond, Short-Stop, Lambo's Nite Cap. Michael Cleaners, Rainbow Hotel, Alberto's Body Shop, Lew's Cafe Chinese and American Food.]

Tenderloin
O'Farrell & Polk
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O'Farrell & Polk

Gay Freedom Day [Gay Freedom Day parade. Crowd in front of Boas Pontiac building as police motorcycle passes. Crowd mostly men, but some women and children. Unocal 76 gas station on corner of Geary.]

Tenderloin
O'Farrell & Polk
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O'Farrell & Polk

Gay Freedom Day [Gay Freedom Day parade. Banner reads 'Gay Freedom by '76' (theme of the parade that year). Another sign reads 'An Army of Lovers Shall Not Fail.']

Tenderloin
O'Farrell & Polk
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O'Farrell & Polk

Gay Freedom Day [Man dancing in Gay Freedom Day parade. Crowd smiling and laughing.]

Tenderloin
O'Farrell & Polk
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O'Farrell & Polk

Gay Freedom Day [Gay Freedom Day parade. Man on Moto Guzzi motorcycle passing. Crowd mostly men, but some women and children.]

Tenderloin
O'Farrell & Polk
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O'Farrell & Polk

Gay Freedom Day [Man with cane and sash in Gay Freedom Day parade walking in front of ragtime band.]

Tenderloin
O'Farrell & Polk
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O'Farrell & Polk

Gay Freedom Day [Drag majorette team passing Boas Pontiac building during Gay Freedom Day parade.]

Tenderloin
O'Farrell & Polk
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O'Farrell & Polk

Gay Freedom Day [Gay Freedom Day parade crowd in front of Mitchell Brothers O'Farrell Theatre. Men standing on mailbox.]

Tenderloin
O'Farrell & Polk
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O'Farrell & Polk

Gay Freedom Day [Man on motorcycle advertising 'Wild Goose' bar at 1488 Pine Street during Gay Freedom Day parade.]

Tenderloin
O'Farrell & Polk
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O'Farrell & Polk

Gay Freedom Day [Motorcycle police officer watching Gay Freedom Day parade turning onto Polk Street.]

Tenderloin
Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Portrait of bearded man wearing leopard skin bandana and feathers during Gay Freedom Day parade.]

Civic Center
Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Rev. Ray Broshears with bandana and Tab cola in front of pool after Gay Freedom Day parade.]

Civic Center
Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Bearded performer with flowers in hair and long key earrings at end of Gay Freedom Day parade. City Hall in background.]

Civic Center