After two missed years due to the pandemic, San Francisco Pride returned this weekend with their first in-person parade since 2019.
The jubilant event began on at the Embarcadero, with the SF Dykes on Bikes leading the way down Market Street. Reminiscent of the previous weekend’s Golden State Warriors championship parade, Market Street was flooded with San Franciscans ready to celebrate the city’s LGBTQ+ community. The crowds spilled out into the area surrounding Civic Center, where vendors and food stalls served the thousands of attendees.
Attendees at San Francisco Pride march down the parade route on June 26, 2022.
Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
This year’s grand marshals included musician Melanie DeMore, non-profit director Vinny Eng, public health educator Amber Gray, trans activist Andrea Horne, OaklandTransMarch co-founder Socorro “Cori” Moreland and pioneering hip-hop DJ Mellanique Robicheaux (also known as Black). Martha Wash of the Weather Girls served as headliner, and “Jeopardy!” champion Amy Schneider also appeared on the main stage.
Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
Participants take part in the 2022 San Francisco Pride Parade. (SFGATE / Douglas Zimmerman)
The leadup to this year’s Pride has been marked by controversy and concern. In late May, Mayor London Breed announced she would withdraw from the parade due to a rule forbidding police from attending in uniform. Pride eventually walked back the rule, allowing fewer than 10 individuals to attend in uniform. The parade also came shortly after an alleged hate crime against local drag performer Panda Dulce at a Bay Area library.
California state Sen. Scott Wiener on his parade float at San Francisco Pride on June 26, 2022.
Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATEOn Sunday, Pride attendees draped in every type of rainbow-colored garb imaginable joyously cheered on the parade floats, but many homemade signs expressed distress and defiance of the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade. The elements of activism amidst the celebration were a reminder of Pride’s roots as a powerful protest movement.
Attendees at San Francisco Pride march down the parade route on June 26, 2022.
Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
Scroll below to see our best photos from the event.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi on her parade float at San Francisco Pride on June 26, 2022.
Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
Attendees at San Francisco Pride march down the parade route on June 26, 2022.
Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
Attendees at San Francisco Pride march down the parade route on June 26, 2022.
Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
Attendees at San Francisco Pride watch the parade route down Market Street on June 26, 2022.
Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
Verasphere attendees at San Francisco Pride march down the parade route on June 26, 2022.
Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
Samba drummers and dancers take part in the San Francisco Pride parade in San Francisco, Calif. on June 26, 2022.
Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
A Verasphere participant during the San Francisco Pride parade in San Francisco, Calif. on June 26, 2022.
Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
