Happy Pride Month and Day to you! Are you ready to dive into the history and traditions of this festivity? Before discovering more about the milestones related to the most important event for the LGBTQ+ community, when is pride month? It occurs in June and it continues for a whole month, weekend, or week, depending on the area. Did you know that Pr...
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Pride flag
This fabulous collection of pride flag images are an excellent choice to embrace a proud stance on the subject of equality for all. In any case, these high-resolution images will heighten the quality of your work in all aspects of design.
Rainbow
A full spectrum of rainbow photos are ready to bring your projects to life, embracing the colors of diversity and equality for all. These high quality images will help deliver fantastic results, increasing engagement and spreading your valuable message.
LGBTQ
Pride month is about love and diversity. Celebrate this festivity, download and use these colorful photos of rainbow flags, people belonging to the lgtbq community, gender symbols, and many other concepts. Feel the power of love!
Pride parade
Pride Parades are celebrations of acceptance, love, and equality. It's a time for individuals of all walks of life to come together and express themselves with joy and enthusiasm. These photos capture the spirit and vibrancy of Pride.
Pride wallpaper
There is no better way of celebrating Pride Day than using some wallpapers for your phone, computer, tablet, and even for your social media account. You’ll find many designs with motifs like love, hearts, rainbows, flowers…
Pride banner
Do you need some Pride Month and Day banners? Find the most outstanding designs in our collections. Explain the history of this festivity, let other people know about the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community, or promote mutual comprehension using these banners.
Pride stickers
This June, show your pride in style with these incredible Pride stickers. With their elegant design and vibrant colors, these stickers will make a statement wherever you go. And with a variety of options to choose from, you can find the perfect one for you.
Pride background
These Pride backgrounds will leave you speechless. They are full of color, hearts, flags, people, and everything you can imagine. Use them for video calls, as backgrounds for Zoom or Google Meet and celebrate love.
Symbols
Pride flags
Gender symbols
Hearts
Pride quotes
The LGBTQ+ community has been represented using different symbols. During the Nazi regime, a pink triangle was a way to identify and oppress people belonging to this community, although it turned into a freedom emblem later. By the late 70s, there was a need to create a new flag, a new symbol to represent the LGBTQ+ social movements. Artists and activists Gilbert Baker, Lynn Segerblom, and James McNamara, among others, created the first version of the rainbow flag in 1978. Baker was in charge of its design, and he got inspiration from the Hippie movement, the flag of races, and even a Rolling Stones song, “She’s a Rainbow.” More and more flag variants appeared over the years, varying the number of stripes, colors, shapes… Together with these variations, the rainbow flag inspired many other banners, such as the pansexual pride flag, the transgender pride flag, and the bisexual pride flag.
Today, we use three main gender symbols, plus some variations. Traditionally, ♀ indicates female, ♂ means male, and ⚥ indicates intersex. But what’s the history behind them? Using gender symbols is not a new thing, as they were already employed during the 18th century. Carl Linnaeus, one of the most famous botanists and physicians in the World, used those three to let readers know which flowers were male, female, or perfect flowers (i.e., having both male and female reproductive parts). Nowadays, the male and female symbols are widely used, but there are some key combinations. These include: ⚥ for intersex, ⚦ for the transgender community, ⚢ for lesbians, ⚣ for the gay male community, and ⚧ symbolizes gender inclusivity.
Hearts symbolize love in many cultures. Nevertheless, this ideograph has not always expressed such a beautiful meaning. It was during the late Middle Ages when it became popular as a love token. More and more hearts appeared in manuscript decorations, paintings, and even playing cards dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. Although there are many hypotheses on the origins of this connection, it’s not clear. One way or the other, hearts symbolize love nowadays, and it also applies to the LGBTQ+ community. In their case, they usually merge hearts with the pride flag, creating a unique emblem.
There is no doubt that quotations are part of Pride symbolism. When Pride Day approaches, we read “Love is love” everywhere. Quotes are a great way to encourage values like understanding, respect, and sympathy. They are also helpful in keeping communities together or making people feel empowered. Examples of such quotes include “Pride for everyone,” “We’re here. We’re queer,” and “The future is trans." Music has also influenced the LGBTQ+ arena. There are many lyrics that have become powerful pride quotations, like “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga and “True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper. Likewise, figures like RuPaul, a famous drag queen, have turned his quotation into a Pride anthem: “We’re all born naked and the rest is drag.”
Few colors denote as much passion as red does, and few reds are as vibrant as Spanish Carmine. Shades of red convey love, joy, and warmth of hearts. We use red when we want to communicate strong emotions, but on Pride Day, red symbolizes life. The colors of the Pride flag were carefully chosen with the final result we know today in mind, which is the rainbow flag. Red is one of the colors that stand out the most on Pride Day. Not only is it eye-catching, but it also represents the love and life of a community that has fought and continues to fight to live free.
The history of pride is simply fascinating. It all started with a series of riots, known as the Stonewall uprising, at a pub in lower Manhattan in 1969. This moment was so pivotal that it led to an annual commemoration that transformed into the first Pride parades. These first Pride parades took place in multiple cities, like Chicago and San Francisco, in 1970. Another milestone was the creation of the rainbow flag by activist Gilbert Baker. He designed this emblem, drawing inspiration from several sources, including social movements, music, and the Flag of Races. But the LGBTQ+ movement didn’t stop there! In 1999, Bill Clinton issued a proclamation recognizing June as "Gay and Lesbian Pride Month." Discover more facts and delve into the mesmerizing history of love!
One of the first steps to promote rights for the LGBTQ+ community
The 60s were a flourishing period for diversity, but not for all the communities. The American LGBTQ+ circle was struggling at the time. Although they gained some rights, like drinking at pubs and bars, constant police raids created an unwelcoming environment for bisexuals, gays, lesbians, and transgender individuals. One of the most well-known raids took place on June 28th, 1969, known as the Stonewall riots or Stonewall uprising, as it occurred at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village (Lower Manhattan, New York). It quickly turned into a protest, and the police lost control. Activists and residents gathered not only that night but also the following ones to fight for their rights, no matter their sexual orientation.
The commemoration of the Stonewall riots
Chicago Gay Liberation held a march to commemorate the Stonewall riots a year after the event, in June 1970. It was organized by activists such as Brenda Howard. They went from the Civic Center Plaza to Washington Square, an action that was also replicated in other parts of the country. In San Francisco, protestors marched and held a “gay-in” picnic. The participants repeated slogans like “gay is okay” to attract the attention of other citizens and raise awareness. These demonstrations included speeches and many other social gatherings. This first Pride Parade laid the foundations for future LGBTQ+ movements.
The most widespread LGBTQ+ symbol in the World
The famous rainbow flag was created in 1978 as a powerful tool to raise awareness and to make the members of the community feel that they were part of a great social movement. The designing process of the rainbow flag was one of the milestones in the history of Pride. Gilbert Baker, an activist, devised it, drawing inspiration from the Hippie movement, the Flag of Races, and the Rolling Stones song “She’s a Rainbow.” This very first version of the flag featured eight colors, and each had its own meaning: hot pink, red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, indigo, and violet.
The official recognition of Pride Month in the US
Bill Clinton played a very influential role in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Decades after the Stonewall Riots, President Bill Clinton signed Proclamation 7203 in 1999. He established Gay and Lesbian Pride Month in June as a way of highlighting the importance of the 1969 riots and the 1970 parade, both of which took place in June. Proclamation 7203 emphasizes the importance of respecting every single person, the need for eradicating hate crimes, and the prohibition of sexual harassment. This proclamation was also backed by an executive order from 1998 that banned discrimination in the Federal civilian workforce.
Pride is becoming a global celebration, so you'll find parades and parties happening in many countries. Each place gives its own queer touch to this colorful date, but it's always based on equal rights and respect. Learn more about Pride Day and get an answer to questions like: Where is the biggest Pride celebration? Do they set off fireworks in NYC at Pride parades?
Pride celebrations in the United States are vibrant and inclusive, with events held in cities like Los Angeles, New York City, Washington DC, and San Francisco. The Stonewall Riots, which occurred in the United States, led to major LGBTQ+ events around the country. In Los Angeles, Pride Day is celebrated with a huge parade, music events, and even some circus nights. The LGBTQ+ Pride March in New York City is one of the well-known events in the LGBTQ+ community, and it also set off some fireworks! There are other events during NYC pride such as Fantasy Days, Pride Island, Youth Pride, and many conferences. Washington, DC, also offers several entertaining activities! Have fun at the Capital Pride Rooftop Pool Party, attend the Official Opening Party, participate in the parade, or pay homage to important activists at the Capital Pride Honor. Are you going to miss it? San Francisco Pride is another major event in the United States. It's well-known for its parade and festival, which take place during the last full weekend of June. The parade gathers different contingents. Among the most famous ones, you’ll find Dykes on Bikes, leather and BDSM groups, LGBT-affirming religious groups, and Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG).
Tel Aviv Pride celebrates Gay Pride Month in Israel. There wasn’t a Tel Avid Pride parade until 1993 because homosexuality was banned in Israel until 1988. Still, some protests against discrimination took place in 1979, which can be seen as the first Pride event in Tel Aviv. Over the years, the queer community has gained many rights, and today, it’s considered one of the most gay-friendly places in the World. There are plenty of reasons to celebrate Pride in Tel Aviv. Apart from the parade, you can attend and enjoy the afterparty, concerts, and even find water parks hosting LGBTQ+ parties! Check out celebrations like “It’s Britney” or “Tel a Beef,” you’ll be completely delighted. If you are interested in drag queen performances, then Wigstock is your cup of tea. There will be drag queens, glitter, DJs, and tons of colors.
São Paulo LGBTQ+ Pride Parade (Parada do Orgulho LGBTQ+ de São Paulo) is widely recognized as the biggest pride parade in the world, attracting three to five million attendees annually. But why is Pride Month and Day so eagerly anticipated in Brazil? The most important activity during São Paulo LGBTQ+ Pride is the mesmerizing parade. You’ll enjoy the great trio electricos (floats) adorned with rainbow flags and many other decorations. The parade takes place on the Sunday after Corpus Christi, in June. Over five days, many other activities are offered to the general public, with many events occurring in the three weeks leading up to the parade! There are street markets, plays, concerts, cultural events, dance performances, and food trucks, for example. Get your rainbow flag and glitter ready!
Madrid Pride, known as Orgullo Gay de Madrid or MADO, is the biggest pride parade in Europe and takes place during the first weekend after June 28th. Rightly, it is organized in Chueca, an area in central Madrid known as the gay neighborhood. How do the Spanish celebrate this day? Flags and floats decorate the skies with the bright colors of the rainbow. Of course, the parade is not the only event you can enjoy. If you like culture, there are three related festivals you should definitely check out: MUESTRA·T, La Culta, and La Oculta. MUESTRA·T is a mix of theatrical arts, literature, fine arts, and film screenings. La Culta is a social art festival that helps put the LGBT movement in context, emphasizing the feelings of the queer community through art. La Oculta merges culture and history with activism and advocacy.
Berlin hosts one of the largest Pride events in Europe, also known as Christopher Street Day, in honor of the Stonewall Riots that occurred at Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street. Rather than celebrating pride for only one day, Berlin Pride spans an entire month, starting at the end of May. During this month, you can enjoy events such as Gay Night at the Zoo or Kreuzberg Pride. Just a week before the parade, Lesbisch-Schwules Stadtfest or Motzfest offers a lot of activities for LGBTQ+ individuals at local pubs. Would you prefer to attend a Gay beach party instead of going to pubs? No problem, you can do that in Berlin, too! Dance, sing, eat, and escape the heat at a beach by the river Spree. It’s a fabulous experience.
Amsterdam Gay Pride and Pink Saturday celebrate Pride Day in the Netherlands. The Netherlands demonstrates a very tolerant and accepting attitude towards the LGBTQ+ community, so it’s no surprise that Amsterdam Pride is eagerly anticipated every year. The festival lasts about a week and features events like parties, workshops, exhibitions, sports, Pride walks, open-air cinema, swimming events, and many more. Unlike other places, Amsterdam Pride is celebrated during the first weekend of August. One of the most spectacular events during Pride Amsterdam is the Canal Parade on the first Saturday of that month, where numerous boats are adorned with colorful balloons and rainbow flags. Along with Amsterdam Gay Pride, people also celebrate Pink Saturday, or Roze Zaterdag, which is dedicated to advocating for equal rights.
Pride Month in Sydney, Australia is celebrated with the Sydney Pride Festival. The first Australian Pride celebration (Mardi Gras for them) was a huge protest, and it was held on June 24th, 1978, just a few years after the Stonewall Riots. Its aim was to end discrimination and repeal existing anti-homosexual laws. The following year, this Mardi Gras parade took place again, and the rest is history! It continued as a tradition, and in 1988, this march was renamed the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. This parade has continued to attract more and more people every single year. Nowadays, it’s a vibrant celebration attended by thousands of people. There are different shows, drag queen performances, parties, art prizes, workshops, and even film festivals. Likewise, you can also listen to live music, listen to some talks on bullying prevention, have some drinks at different pubs, or listen to radio specials. Doesn’t that sound tempting to you?
Pride in London, promoting equality for more than 50 years. Pride in London is a huge event where thousands of people gather to celebrate freedom, love, and life. Parties and events take place everywhere: whether you're at Hyde Park Corner, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, or Soho, you’ll find plenty of entertainment there. You can also celebrate Pride Day at gay-friendly pubs, clubs, and bars. There are dance and art performances, cinema activities, plays, parades, and even big floats. With over 50 years of celebration, it has become a well-established tradition. Pride in London encourages progress, mutual understanding, and protection against hate crimes. Another of its aims is to create a national AIDS memorial to pay homage to those who have been affected by HIV or AIDS. Isn’t it a great initiative?
