After four years in office, President Reagan finally mentioned the word “AIDS”.
His friend, actor Rock Hudson, had died of AIDS-related complications the previous October.
A crowd of 34,000 turned out for the March. In response to antigay adoption policies of the Dukakis administration, the Gay and Lesbian Defense Committee urged members to place dozens of stickers outside the State House that read, “Foster Equality”.
That year, John Bush, a black gay activist, called the Boston gay community “painfully exclusive”, citing incidents at bars like Chaps, which, he said, required multiple IDs from people of color and femme lesbians.
Photos and Memorabilia from 1986
LGBTQ Historical Highlights
- Openly gay activist Kevin McFadden launches a campaign to replace a homophobic State Senator in Dorchester.
- The Alliance launches its Public Safety Committee to combat anti-gay hate crimes.[2]
Event Details
Date: June 14, 1986
Theme: Forward Together
Organized by:
Parade Route
START – Copley Sq., Down Boylston St., Left on Charles St., Right on Cambridge St., To Tremont St., Right on Park St., Left on Beacon St. END – Boston Common
References: