Since the Stonewall Riots in 1969, Pride has transformed into a celebration of the LGBT+ community and the continuous work they do for representation and their civil rights.
As Pride parades became more celebratory across major cities throughout the ’90s, many celebrities from ones who identified as LGBT to vocal allies joined in on the fun from performing concerts to marching in the parades alongside various pride organizations and LGBT groups. LGBT celebrities and celebrity allies have been instrumental in using their platforms to further support the acceptance and liberation of the LGBT+ community.
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WWD takes a look at celebrities who have attended Pride parades throughout the years.
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RuPaul, 1994
Before he was a household name for RuPaul’s drag race, RuPaul was still well known in the drag community and across major cities. In 1994, he attended the West Hollywood Pride parade in his signature blonde wig and a floral print and silver sequin dress.
Anna Nicole Smith, 2002
In 2002, Anna Nicole Smith was still very much at the height of her pop culture stardom. She joined Los Angeles citizens as she participated in the parade wearing a form-fitting red dress with beaded embellishments, complete with rainbow mardi gras beads and a red flower in her hair.
Ian McKellen, 2002
In 2002, Ian McKellen was one of the most accomplished out gay actors of his time, with a storied film career and two Oscar nominations. He joined the Pride festivities in San Francisco waving a British flag to represent his home country as he wore a resort ready look with straw hat, mint shirt, white T-shirt and white pants.
Paris and Kathy Hilton
In the ’00s, there was no picking up a tabloid without Paris Hilton in it. She loaned her socialite fame as the grand marshal of the 2005 West Hollywood Pride parade. For her duties, the reality star wore a tiara, a gold dress and gold sandals. She was joined by her mother Kathy Hilton in a vacation-ready floral print top and white pants.
Joan Rivers, 2009
In addition to her red carpet fashion commentary and her days as an actress, Joan Rivers was a vocal supporter of the LGBT community. In 2009, the media personality attended Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, of course doing it in style in a black feather trim dress.
Cyndi Lauper, 2012
Longtime popstar Cyndi Lauper has long been a proud supporter of the LGBT+ community. In 2012, she had the honor of being the grand marshal for New York City gay pride. She donned a little black dress, red top hat and rainbow sash for the momentous occasion.
Demi Lovato, 2014
Not only did pop star and actress perform at Los Angeles Pride in 2014, but the performance also became her music video for her song “Really Don’t Care.” Lovato did it all in style in a black blazer overlayed with a harness, a white shirt, a tie inspired by a harness, black pants with rivets on the seams and gladiator sandal platform heels.