24 inspiring vintage photos of LGBTQ people celebrating their communities

Frank OlitoJun 23, 2022, 19:56 IST

Skittles; Rachel Mendelson/Insider

June is Pride Month, a time to honor and recognize the impact of LGBTQ people.
Photos of drag queens in the '60s and pride marches in the '70s show people celebrating acceptance.
Other images show more intimate moments between couples at home.

After the Stonewall Riots in New York City, people celebrated with gay pride marches in the 1970s.

Gay pride in 1970.Spencer Grant/ Getty

The Stonewall Uprising in June 1969 was a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBTQ rights.

Pictured, people take to the streets in 1970.

The Stonewall Uprising in June 1969 was a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBTQ rights.

Pictured, people take to the streets in 1970.

In 1971, the streets were filled with people celebrating the LGBTQ community.

Gay pride in 1971.Michael Ochs Archives/ Getty

Pictured, people take part in a gay pride march in 1971.

Gay pride marches across the country quickly became a celebration that welcomed people of any color, religion, or sexual orientation.

Gay pride.Barbara Alper/ Getty

Members of the Jewish community pose for a photo at gay pride.

The parade was also a time to celebrate gender — and blurring the lines of gender expression.

Gay pride.Steve Eason/ Getty

Throughout the 1960s and '70s, LGBTQ people held rallies in San Francisco.

A couple in the 1960s.Ted Streshinsky Photographic Archive/ Getty

They demonstrated the power of the community.

Gay pride wasn't only held in the US, however.

London.Evening Standard/ Getty

London held its own march for the LGBTQ community in 1977.

This couple celebrated the 1971 parade in New York City with a kiss.

A couple in 1971.Michael Ochs Archives/ Getty

Source: NYC Pride

Throughout LGBTQ history, kissing has been a sign of love between friends, partners, and lovers.

Couple kissing.Ron Frehm/ AP

A couple is pictured kissing in 1971.

Similarly, in 1975, LGBTQ couples celebrated their love at the pride parade in New York's Central Park.

Couples at gay pride.Allan Tannenbaum/ Getty

That same year, members of the LGBTQ community embraced each other along the parade route in New York.

Pride march in New York City.Peter Keegan/ Getty

Some held hands while strolling through the parade streets.

A couple at a lesbian march.Fairfax Media Archives/ Getty

It was even common for parents of LGBTQ children to come out to the parade to support their children and show love.

A mother at gay pride.FPG/ Getty

This mom's sign reads, "My gay son is the greatest."

Here in 1974, fathers and mothers walked alongside their LGBTQ children at the parade in New York City.

Parents at gay pride.Bettmann/ Getty

Their signs express their pride for their children.

Pictures from these events show how the marches were a celebration of love, companionship, and acceptance.

Pride march.David Fenton/ Getty

Friends celebrate together.

But these moments of queer celebration weren't just saved for marches.

A couple in 1981.Fairfax Media Archives/ Getty

In 1981, this couple was caught in a blissful embrace.

Gay bars and clubs were also a safe haven for the LGBTQ community.

Gay club in 1977.Bettmann / Getty

Here, four gay men dance in a San Francisco club in 1977.

Whether at a bar or a club, dancing has always been a major form of expression in the LGBTQ community.

Dancing.George Rose/ Getty

Dancing at marches was also common.

Dancing in 1989.Scott McPartland/ Getty

Here, a group dances in 1989.

Although drag queens have broken into mainstream culture today, they have been around for generations.

A drag queen in 1966.ullstein bild/ Getty

Here, a drag queen entertains guests in 1966.

Although same-sex marriage wasn't yet legalized, that didn't stop LGBTQ couples from tying the knot at special ceremonies.

Engaged couple in 1971.ullstein bild / Getty

An engaged couple is pictured in 1971.

In 1976, this gay couple celebrated their new union.

Newlyweds in 1976.Jack Mitchell/ Getty

Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage following a ruling in 2003.

Photos also captured more intimate moments at home.

Armistead Maupin and his lover.Kim Komenich/ Getty

In 1989, for example, writer Armistead Maupin was photographed with his lover, who was living with AIDS.

That same year, a photographer captured this tender moment between two men.

A couple in the '80s.Leon Morris/ Getty

They are pictured in 1989.

From marches to gay bars and public displays of affection, the history of the LGBTQ community has given strength and inspiration to the generations that followed.