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 [Man dancing in crowd at fair after Gay Freedom Day parade.]

Civic Center
Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [People dancing at fair after Gay Freedom Day parade. City Hall behind.]

Civic Center
Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Colorfully dressed man alternatively known as Jesus Christ Satan or Crown Prince Arcadia with tambourine at end of Gay Freedom Day parade.]

Civic Center
Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day, Jesus Christ Satan [Colorfully dressed man with tambourine and 'Fil-Am Friendship Day 1973' ribbon at end of Gay Freedom Day parade.]

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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Jamian Merlin at fair after Gay Freedom Day parade. Old Main Library in background]

Civic Center
Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Colorfully dressed individual with turban and cane after Gay Freedom Day parade.]

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Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Couple at end of Gay Freedom Day parade.]

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Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Happy couple at Gay Freedom Day parade.]

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Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Jamian Merlin at left and another person both colorfully dressed and smoking at Gay Freedom Day parade.]

Civic Center
Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Esmeralda of the Angels of Light on stage at fair after Gay Freedom Day parade.]

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Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Crowd, including individual in mime make-up and satin shirt, at end of Gay Freedom Day parade.]

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Civic Center
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Civic Center

Gay Freedom Day [Crowd, including individual in mime make-up and satin shirt, at end of Gay Freedom Day parade.]

Civic Center