The March and Rally on June 24 adopted a new route, starting in Copley Square.
Route: Copley Square, up Boylston St. to Charles St. to Beacon St. to intersection with Park St. then down to the Boston Commons where a Rally and picnic took place including an arts and crafts fair and bake sale.
Attendance was estimated at 200.
Organizers emphasized events over speakers (a thread that would run through Pride’s history), such as movie screenings, workshops, and forums. The workshops included “Being Jewish and Gay”, “Gay Youth”, “Gay People and the Law”, “Gay People vs. Institutions” (prisons and hospitals). Films, such as Mädchen In Uniform, a 1930s German movie about a lesbian in a girl’s school, and I Want What I Want, a film about “transvestites and transsexuals”, were shown.
A candlelight march to the Charles Street Jail (now Liberty Hotel) to support gay prisoners also took place during the week.[1]
Photos and Memorabilia from 1972
LGBTQ Historical Highlights
- “Stonewall Nation,” the first gay anthem, is written and recorded by Madeline Davis.
- The straight ally movement of PLAG is started when a schoolteacher Jeanne Manford marches with her gay rights activist son, Morty, in the NYC Christopher Day Liberation Day March.[2]
Event Details
Date: Gay Pride Week: June 17-25, 1972 Parade: June 24th
Slogan: “Go Gay Beat Army”
Organized by: Gay Pride Week Planning Committee (Ann Maguire)
Parade Route
START – Copley Sq., Down Boylston St., Left on Charles St., Right on Beacon St. END – State House Stairs. Rally at Parkman Bandstand
Links of Interest
References:
Photo Credits:
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“GAY DANCE,” Documented | Digital Collections of The History Project, accessed April 5, 2023, https://historyproject.omeka.net/items/show/875.