LGBT Pride Dates & Costume Ideas
Gay, lesbian, queer, bi, transgender: it’s all about love and an all-inclusive spectrum of sexuality at Pride. We’ve put together this year’s Pride dates, and of course, there are plenty of costume suggestions if you read between the lines.
45 Years of LGBT Pride
Christopher Street Day (CSD) was the first successful homosexual resistance against discrimination, police violence and the general abuse of power. In the ‘60s violent, unprovoked raids were an everyday affair. On June 28, 1969 the New York police raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar. But this time enough was enough: the bar patrons decided not to acquiesce to such unfair, discriminating treatment anymore and fought back. This resistance against the Stonewall raid quickly escalated into what became known as the Stonewall riots, consisting of street fights, demonstrations and happenings over several days: a watershed in the fight of lesbians, gays, bi- and transsexuals (LGBT) for equal treatment and respect.
Pride Parades
Since the late 1970s, parades, festivals and memorial events have taken place to commemorate the victory of tolerance on Christopher Street and celebrate the LGBT community’s open, warm joie de vivre. In many cities, Pride has become as popular and established as carnival or Love Parade. And anywhere you celebrate there’s bound to be an exuberant street party with colorful costumes, lots of music and unrestrained sex appeal for all walks of life. To put it as simply as possible: Love to love!
Costume Ideas for Pride
As a general rule, anything goes. At Pride everyone celebrates tolerance and diversity, so wear whatever you want! Of course there are classic costumes perfect for the occasion. You can’t go wrong with colorful costumes and rainbow-colored accessories. After all, the rainbow flag is one of the most important symbols of the queer movement.
Anything having to do with love and sex is excellent: from Cupid’s bow & arrow to fetish wear you can let people know loud and clear what wavelength you’re on in matters of the heart/bedroom.
Whether man, woman, hetero, homo, trans or bi, with loud wigs and lots of glitter make-up you’ll be beaming your way through Pride.
With our Morphsuits you can show your true colors from top to toe and party without inhibitions – after all, no one will know who’s behind the disguise.
In our massive costume department you’ll find all kinds of exciting, funny and wacky ideas for your Pride costume, from Sexy Highway Patrol Officer to the classic Drag Queen. While you’re at it, take a look at our group costumes: the complete Village People is but one of many fun group costume ideas that are just perfect for Pride.
LGBT Pride 2014 Dates
June 7 – 15, 2014 – Mr. Gay Europe, several locations (Austria)
June 12 – 16, 2014 – Gay Pride Sitges, Barcelona (Spain)
June 14, 2014 – Rainbow Parade, Vienna (Austria)
June 11 – 15, 2014 – Vienna Pride, Vienna (Austria)
June 14 – 29, 2014 – Pride N’Joy, Dublin (Irleand)
June 20 – 29, 2014 – Europride 2014, Oslo (Norway)
June 20 – 29, 2014 – World Pride, Toronto (USA)
July 2 – 6, 2014 – Madrid Gay Pride (Spain)
July 25 – 27, 2014 – Pride London Festival (England)
July 26 – August 3, 2014 – Amsterdam Gay Pride (The Netherlands)
August 4 – 10, 2014 – Gay Pride Antwerpen (Belgium)
August 12 – 18, 2014 – Prague Pride (Czech Republic)
August 9 – 16, 2014 – Gay Games 2014, Cleveland (USA)
There’s no shame in Pride.
Team Rainbow @ maskworld.com
Photo Credits (in order shown):
GoToVan – CC BY 2.0 (Source: Flickr)
GoToVan – CC BY 2.0 (Source: Flickr)
GoToVan – CC BY 2.0 (Source: Flickr)
Harold R Cologne – CC BY-SA 2.0 (Source: Flickr)
