The world’s first organized pride parades took place simultaneously in New York City and Hollywood, California on June 28, 1970. The Los Angeles march was organized by Christopher Street West (CSW), an organization founded in commemoration of the Stonewall Riots, which had happened exactly one year earlier. The parades symbolize the moment when the queer community literally took to the streets with the unanimous proclamation that we are here, and everywhere.
CSW has remained at the wheel of the now-colossal LA Pride Event every June. However, over the years, the organization has faced criticism and raised eyebrows for some of its decisions. Like the time they named Paris Hilton and her mother Grand Marshals of Pride. The pop culture icon’s response to being asked to be a major part of LGBTQ history and remembrance? “That’s hot.”