San Francisco: 40 years of Pride

This year’s LGBT parade on June 28 was led by a contingent of veteran activists from the early years of the Gay Liberation Front. In the spirit of Stonewall and to mark the 40th anniversary of the early struggle for LGBT liberation, two exciting actions were held along the LGBT parade march route.

Photo: Annie Johnston

At the beginning of the day, queer members and their supporters in the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN) pushed their way into the Jews for Pride contingent, which was filled with people carrying blue and white balloons and Israeli flags. Despite pressure from the pro-Israeli leadership of the contingent, loud chants of “Free, free Palestine, end, end the occupation” filled the street.

Carrying banners that read, “Queer Jews Against Israeli Injustices,” the IJAN grouping was met with cheers and peace signs by hundreds of people along the LGBT parade route. Later, IJAN joined with the Viva Palestina contingent to deliver a strong message in support of Palestine.

Later in the afternoon, a coalition of LGBT activists fighting the budget cuts held a die-in in front of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom’s convertible that was in the parade. Newsom has recently announced severe cuts to LGBT-friendly drop-in health clinics, trans-focus clinics, HIV/AIDS outreach, homeless youth programs and other essential services.