Members of various Gay and Lesbian groups walk south on Connecticut street during the annual pride day parade on their way to Freedom Plaza at 14th street. The next year, it was renamed the 'Gay and Lesbian Pride Day,' Capital Pride said. By 1980, a new committee was formed to host the festival near 24th and N streets NW. Within five years, more than 10,000 people attended an event spread over three blocks, according to Capital Pride.įestivities outgrew the space on 20th Street NW and moved to larger spaces. And many were not out to their families as well, and they were worried about television coverage,” Chibbaro said.ĭespite those fears, the crowds grew. 'Some, I remember them telling me that, gee, if my boss were to see me, I could get fired. He said that back then, attending was a risk for many people who weren't out. Lou Chibbaro, who reports for the Washington Blade, was there that day. Right then, Maccubbin said he knew it would be an annual event. 'It was a smidgen of what we think of as Pride today, but a wonderful smidgeon,” Maccubbin said.Ī few booths, some music and food were the main draws - but 2,000 people showed up. It was the first officially recognized Pride celebration in D.C. 'Gay Pride Day' was held on June 22, 1975.
