When word got out that she was going to be in the parade that year, elected officials began contacting PRIDEChicago in large numbers to register for the parade, continuing a tradition that lasts through today. After Mayor Jane Byrne lost her reelection bid, she decided to thank the LGBT community for supporting her. Over the years, the number of registered entries, participants, and spectators has steadily increased as more people became comfortable with being out and proud. PrideChicago, headed up by Rich Pfeiffer and Tim Frye, was the glue that held it together When those two organizations dissipated, Rich Pfeiffer stepped up and formed PRIDEChicago to take over management and planning of the annual Pride Parade, and did so for 47 years, until Rich Pfeiffer’s death in 2019. In its second year, the event became a parade under the auspices of the Chicago Gay Alliance. (New York and San Francisco held their observance on Sunday, June 28, 1970). The march was organized by the Chicago Gay Liberation and was the first event to be held to recognize the first anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion the year before. The first Chicago Gay Rights March was held on Saturday, June 27, 1970, with 100 to 150 people from Washington Park (Bughouse Square) on Chicago’s Near North Side to the Civic Center (now Richard J.
