Parties, parades and protest mark Pride worldwide

The month-long celebration of the 2SLGBTQ+ community reaches its exuberant grand finale on Sunday, bringing rainbow-laden revellers to the streets for marquee Pride parades across the globe.

The wide-ranging festivities will function as both jubilant parties and political protests, as participants recognize the community’s gains while also calling attention to rising anti-2SLGBTQ+ sentiments.

Here’s a look at some of the events on Sunday.

New York City

The first Pride march was held in New York City in 1970 to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Inn uprising, a riot that began with a police raid on a Manhattan gay bar.

This year, tensions over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza are also seeping into the celebrations, exposing divisions within a community that is often aligned on political issues.

Several groups participating in marches on Sunday said they would seek to centre the victims of the war in Gaza, spurring pushback from supporters of Israel.

“It is certainly a more active presence this year in terms of protest at Pride events,” said Sandra Perez, the executive director of NYC Pride. “But we were born out of a protest.”

Marchers holds up sings denouncing Israel's war in Gaza. — Pro-Palestinian participants are seen during New York City’s Pride march on Sunday. (Adam Gray/AFP via Getty Images)

People cheer and wave flags during a Pride parade. — Marchers cheer and wave flags, including an Israeli flag, during New York City’s Pride parade on Sunday. (Jeenah Moon/Reuters)

Chicago

Tens of thousands of revelers packed sidewalks along Chicago’s parade, a scaled-back event from previous years.

City officials shortened the North Side route and the number of floats this year from 199 to about 150 over safety and logistical concerns, including to better deploy police into evening hours as post-parade parties have become more disruptive in recent years.

Chicago’s parade, one of the largest in the U.S., routinely draws about a million people, according to the city.

Marchers hold up balloons arranged to spell out, 'Pride.' — Participants carry balloons spelling, ‘Pride’ during Chicago’s Pride parade on Sunday. (Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP/Getty Images)

Bangkok

Revellers marched in Bangkok to celebrate Thailand’s passing of the marriage equality bill, which made it Asia’s third territory to legalize same-sex unions.

Two people in tuxedos hold hands and gesture during a parade. — Gay couple Apiwat Porsch Apiwatsayree, left, and Sappanyoo Arm Panatkool attend a Pride parade in Bangkok on Sunday. (Patipat Janthong/Reuters)

Two people smile at each other as they show off their wedding rings to the camera. — Lesbian couple Juntagon Seneewong Na Ayutthaya, left, and Kamontip Aurareemaitrichit show off their rings at Bangkok’s Pride march on Sunday. (Patipat Janthong/Reuters)

Istanbul

Turkish police detained protesters in Istanbul on Sunday for participating at a banned Pride rally, searching the streets after participants had dispersed. Police declined to comment.

The Istanbul Governor’s Office said earlier on Sunday that the Pride march would not be permitted. Turkish police blocked central Istanbul to prevent the march from taking place, shutting down metro stations and blocking traffic on the main streets.