On June 25, The 48th annual Chicago Pride Parade was held as the culmination of a Pride Month full of celebrations and reflections on the present and future challenges of the community. Chicago Pride began with a weeklong buildup in Boystown.
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This year’s parade included an homage to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting, in Spanish and English; 90% of the shooting victims were Latino and 75% of them from Puerto Rico. (Photo by Emily Rich) -
The 48th annual Chicago Pride Parade had "Orange is the New Black" star Lea DeLaria as Grand Marshal. (Photo by Emily Rich) -
Taylor Dayne, Kristine W., and David Hernandez were among Chicago Pride's entertainment lineup this year; local entertainers were also involved. (Photo by Emily Rich) -
This year’s parade included an homage to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting, in Spanish and English. (Photo by Emily Rich) -
The Chicago Pride Parade brought around a million visitors to the Uptown and Lakeview neighborhoods of Chicago. LGBTQI bikers from around the country were part of the parade. (Photo by Emily Rich) -
A strong presence of Puerto Rican members of the LGBTQI community could be felt at this year’s Pride Parade. Chicago is home to the largest concentration of people of Puerto Rican descent in the Midwest. (Photo by Emily Rich) -
After an antagonistic relationship with the LGBTQI community, this year’s parade included messages that appropriated and changed presidential campaign slogans for the greater good. (Photo by Emily Rich) -
Two Princess Leias ride with the Bikes and Mics motorcycle club at the Chicago Pride Parade. (Photo by Emily Rich) -
With the Pride Parade approaching its 50th anniversary, this year’s parade saw a large turnout of many senior citizens. (Photo by Emily Rich) -
A scene of the crowd from Chicago Pride 2017. (Photo by Emily Rich) -
With the Pride Parade approaching its 50th anniversary, this year’s parade saw a large turnout of many senior citizens. (Photo by Emily Rich) -
Two participants ride with one of the motorcycle clubs participating in the Pride Parade. (Photo by Emily Rich) -
Numerous drag performers participated in the Chicago Pride Parade. (Photo by Emily Rich) -
The first Chicago Pride Parade was organized on Saturday, June 27, 1970, as a march from Washington Square Park to the Water Tower at the intersection of Michigan and Chicago Avenues; many of the participants also marched on to the Civic Center (now Richard J. Daley Plaza). (Photo by Emily Rich) -
The mood was fun, colorful, and full of pride. (Photo by Emily Rich) -
Elaborate costumes were a major part of the Chicago Pride Parade. (Photo by Emily Rich) -
The Illinois Masonic Medical Center participated in the parade as advocates for the LGBTQI community. (Photo by Emily Rich) -
Though public nudity was not allowed at the Pride Parade, there was plenty of skin to see. (Photo by Emily Rich) -
A view from the parade. (Photo by Emily Rich) -
An estimated 1 million people turned out at the 48th annual Pride Parade in Chicago and enjoyed the colorful caravan. (Photo by Emily Rich) -
Boystown got its name because of the influx of gay men residing there in the 1970s and 80s. By 1980, according to the US census, 16% of the neighborhood was African-American. (Photo by Emily Rich) -
“Born This Way,” a song by Lady Gaga, has become a major cultural reference during Pride celebrations. Its lyrics, which include the line, "there's nothing wrong with loving who you are," could be heard playing throughout the parade. (Photo by Emily Rich)
