In 1970, America’s various LGBTQ+ communities debated on how to commemorate the anniversary of the now-historic Stonewall Riots. While New York and San Francisco opted for somber protest marches, Los Angeles desired something bigger, grander, and more unique. Thus was the genesis of the world’s first Pride Parade.
Gaining a permit for this event wasn’t easy. Edward Davis, chief of the notoriously homophobic Los Angeles Police Department highly resisted the then-unimaginable notion of queer people openly parading in public.
“As far as I’m concerned,” said Davis, “granting a permit to a group of homosexuals to parade down Hollywood Boulevard would be the same as giving a permit to a group of thieves and robbers.”