Chicago Pride 2014

(GayWebSource.com – Gay News & Press Network) – Posted by SeasonsofPride.com

June 21, 2014

June 29, 2014

Chicago Pride Weekend consists of a two-day festival and our world-famous parade.

The two-day festival takes place along Chicago’s famed Halsted strip on Saturday, June 21, 2014 and Sunday, June 22, 2014.

The parade kicks off at noon on Sunday, June 29, 2014, at Montrose Avenue and Broadway in Uptown and ends near the intersection of Diversey Parkway and Sheridan Road in Lincoln Park. Pride Month in June is the culmination of Chicago’s vibrant LGBT community. The energy in the city peaks on Pride Weekend, which falls on the last weekend of June each year in commemoration of the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. On Pride Frida and Saturday thousands will gather along Halsted for the two day festival. Stages of music, exhibitors, great food and drinks are available to enjoy. In the evening the revelers will pour into Boystown clubs and party into the wee hours of the night.

On Sunday the roar of the crowd heralds the start of the Pride Parade, a dazzling cavalcade of diversity. The streets are lined 12 people deep as 750,000 people cheer the contingents on and enjoy the show, culture and experience! For the liveliest viewing spots head to the Boystown section of North Halsted Street, between Belmont Avenue and Grace Street. If you are seeking a less crowded area to view the parade, look for your viewing spots near the beginning of the route along Broadway between Montrose Avenue and Sheridan Road or further along Broadway between Belmont Avenue and Diversey Parkway.

It helps to know some tips, tricks and pearls of wisdom for surviving the weekend and ensuring a fun, happy and safe stay in Chicago. And if you’re visiting just for the weekend, you might find some special offers on hotel rooms on ChicagoPride.com.

When is Chicago Pride?
The Chicago Pride two-day Celebration and Parade historically takes place the final weekend in June of each year. The 2014 event, which will be the 45nd anniversary of Chicago Pride, is set to take place June 21-22.

How did Pride begin?
The annual Pride Celebration commemorates the rebellion of LGBT patrons of the Stonewall Inn in New York City’s Greenwich Village in response to a routine police raid on June 27, 1969. The following year, a “Gay-In” that took place on June 27, 1970 that was the early progenitor of the current Pride Celebration. Since 1972, the event has been held every year, Since its modest beginnings, Chicago Pride has grown to be one the largest and most well-known Pride events in the world. Pride has come to symbolize several things: the long history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer dignity, the freedom of all people to meaningfully and proudly express their sexual and gender identities, and the commitment of LGBT people to combating oppression.