That year, the parade started at Occidental Park in Pioneer Square, with more than 2,000 participants marching up First Avenue. In 1977, Mayor Charles Royer made the first official declaration of Gay Pride Week in Seattle. Today, millions participate in Pride events around the world. The first Pride parade brought together thousands of participants. This activist-created march bloomed in reaction to a police raid against LGBTQ patrons of the Stonewall Inn, and the five days of community protests and riots a year earlier. Started in New York City, the event was originally known as Christopher Street Liberation Day. Jmarks the 50th anniversary of the first Pride parade.
