CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — About 1 million people were expected on the North Side Sunday for Chicago’s 52nd annual Pride Parade, which stepped off from Broadway and Montrose Avenue at noon.
At the parade’s launch point, thousands upon thousands were lining the streets, above which rainbow flags and American flags were flying while vendors sold T-shirts, hats, balloons and more to parade attendees.
The parade featured flag performances, marching bands, dancing, music and much more. Attendees showed up in drag, in glitter, rainbow jerseys and homemade costumes. Of course, Sundays large crowds clogged up traffic in the parade area.
Many of the state’s prominent politicians also showed up, including: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, among others. Before the parade started, Pritzker said he hasn’t missed a Pride Parade since coming to Chicago, and he noted its importance to many people in the state.
“This isn’t just a celebration today of Pride … in addition to that, it is a recognition of the progress that we’ve made for the LGBTQ community in Illinois and the progress that we still need to make,” Pritzker said.
Durbin condemned efforts in other states to restrict care for transgender people, especially Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law.
“It is disgusting that, in this day and age, that that would happen and that people would accept it,” Durbin said. “We should not build a democracy on fear or hate.”
Equality Illinois, which hosted the pre-parade reception, has claimed that there are 700 proposals to restrict the LGBTQ community in state legislatures across the country.
The organization is Illinois’ largest gay rights advocacy group and has pushed for legislation that would cut red tape for gender-neutral, multi-stall bathrooms in businesses and universities. Equality Illinois has also fought for $20 million in grants that would go to schools for sexual education programming.
Pritzker, though, told the crowd on Sunday that LGBTQ allies in Illinois — where Democrats control the Legislature — can reach out beyond state lines.
“Give to organizations across the nation that are standing up for LGBTQ rights and, frankly, [call] people in other states and [tell] them that they need to get active,” he said.
Chicago’s first Pride parade was held in 1970 on the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising of 1969. The uprisings followed a raid by plainclothes police officers from the New York City Police Department at the Stonewall Inn, which was one of the most popular gay bars in New York City, according to the Library of Congress.
More than 50 years later, the prospect of violence against the LGBTQ community was a concern for Chicago police. Last week, Interim Chicago Police Supt. Fred Waller said that the department had canceled officers’ days off to ensure that there would be enough cops on the scene to keep parade participants and attendees safe.
On Sunday, Krishnamoorthy said our country’s diversity should be seen as a strength, not a target.
“Hate seems to be some kind of unifying call among folks on the other side, and I just don’t think it’s a good idea to have hate being a rallying cry, no matter who it’s directed against,” he said.
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