Gay pride parade
Birmingham's Gay pride parade has been held in Five Points South annually since 1989, recently as part of 10 Days of Pride, sponsored by Central Alabama Pride.
Earlier pride events have been celebrated in Birmingham, including the "day in the park" events which were inaugurated on June 24, 1979 and later taken over by Central Alabama Pride as Pridefest.
The parade is intended as a "family" event and displays which are considered inappropriate are prohibited.
1989
The 1989 parade was organized by a committee chaired by Rick Adams. It was held on Sunday afternoon, June 25, in Southside, beginning at 1:00 PM at the Lambda Resource Center at 516 27th Street South, zig-zagging southeastward, and ending with a "Day in the Park" rally at Rushton Park.
The event marked the 20th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City. Mayor Richard Arrington declined an invitation to participate in the march, but expressed hope that the event would be successful.
1990
The second annual Pride Parade began and ended at Linn Park on the afternoon of Sunday June 24, proceeding up and back on 20th Street North, followed by a "Pride Day in the Park" event with Lisa Cohen, Vova Nova, Harry Wingfield, Pam Smith and Hallowed Secret.
1991
The theme of the 1991 event was "Together in Pride".
1996
The 1996 Pride Parade processed along Highland Avenue.
2000
In 2000, Central Alabama Pride moved the parade to Saturday night in Five Points South, to be followed by a dance party. The style of parade was inspired by the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras in Sydney, Australia. The overall "Ten Days of Pride" event lasted from June 2–11.
2008
The 20th annual Pride began at 8:30 PM. The route followed 20th Street South from Highland Avenue to 7th Avenue South, then proceeded informally to the Lakeview Yacht Club for an after party.
The event made headlines when Mayor Larry Langford publicly expressed his disapproval for "the gay lifestyle" and promised not to sign the resolution endorsing the parade. It was initially reported that he planned to deny a permit for the parade to take place. Later he clarified that he would not interfere in the permit process which is handled through the Birmingham Traffic Engineering Department and Birmingham Police Department, but that he would not allow banners for the event on city-owned lightposts. After a meeting with organizers, the banners were allowed.
Organizers estimated that over 1000 people participated, hundreds more than in previous years. Some said that Langford's public stance prompted their participation as a show of support.
2012
The 2012 Pride parade was held on June 9, with celebrants eclipsing the protesters along the route. The J. Clyde fire truck and the Tragic City Rollers roller derby team participated in the event.
2013
Libertee Belle, who appeared in every parade since 1989, usually bringing up the rear, served as grand marshal for the 25th anniversary event.
2019
The 2019 parade processed down 7th Avenue South from 32nd Street to Our Place Lounge. The parade lasted for a full hour with 80 groups, businesses and organizations participating. Major sponsors included BBVA and Alabama Power.
2020
The 2020 parade and Pride Fest, planned for June 13–14, was postponed due to the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic.
2022
The 2022 parade was staged at 32nd Street on the evening of Saturday June 11, and proceeded down 7th Avenue South to 22nd Street.
References
- Bryant, Joseph D. (May 25, 2008) "Birmingham gay pride parade on despite mayor's objections." The Birmingham News
- Wilstach, Nancy (June 8, 2008) "Actor among 1,000 to take part in Gay Pride parade." The Birmingham News
- Edmond, Katrina (June 10, 2008) "Pride Parade continues despite Langford’s opposition." UAB Kaleidoscope
- Culverhouse, Nicholas (June 12, 2012) "PRIDE week." UAB Kaleidoscope
- Hrynkiw, Ivana (June 8, 2019) "Birmingham celebrates pride week with hour-long parade." The Birmingham News
- Dunigan, Jonece Starr (April 11, 2020) "COVID-19 outbreak postpones Alabama’s oldest LGBTQ pride festival, parade." The Birmingham News