What do you think?
Rate this book
PRIDE: Fifty Years of Parades and Protests from the Photo Archives of the New York Times
Collected here for the first time by the New York Times , PRIDE is a powerful visual history of five decades of parades and protests of the LGBTQ rights movement.
Introduction by Adam Nagourney
It began in New York City on June 28, 1969.
When police raided the Stonewall Inn—a bar in the Greenwich Village neighborhood, known as a safe haven for gay men—violent demonstrations and protests broke out in response. The Stonewall Riots, as they would come to be known, were the first spark in the wildfire that would become the LGBTQ rights revolution. Fifty years later, the LGBTQ community and its supporters continue to gather every June to commemorate this historic event.
These photos, paired with descriptions of major events from each decade as well as selected reporting from the New York Times , showcase the victories, setbacks, and ongoing struggles for the LGBTQ community.
“To take in the breadth of [ PRIDE ’s] contents – to see the scope of LGBTQ+ rights, from the first Christopher Street Day march in 1970 to protests for transgender rights just last year – is to witness the power of visibility firsthand.” — Them
Introduction by Adam Nagourney
It began in New York City on June 28, 1969.
When police raided the Stonewall Inn—a bar in the Greenwich Village neighborhood, known as a safe haven for gay men—violent demonstrations and protests broke out in response. The Stonewall Riots, as they would come to be known, were the first spark in the wildfire that would become the LGBTQ rights revolution. Fifty years later, the LGBTQ community and its supporters continue to gather every June to commemorate this historic event.
These photos, paired with descriptions of major events from each decade as well as selected reporting from the New York Times , showcase the victories, setbacks, and ongoing struggles for the LGBTQ community.
“To take in the breadth of [ PRIDE ’s] contents – to see the scope of LGBTQ+ rights, from the first Christopher Street Day march in 1970 to protests for transgender rights just last year – is to witness the power of visibility firsthand.” — Them
224 pages, Hardcover
Published May 21, 2019
5 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
The New York Times
1,822 books322 followersThe New York Times is a daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed internationally. Founded in 1851, the newspaper has won 112 Pulitzer Prizes, more than any other news organization. Its website receives 30 million unique visitors per month.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 28, 2019
A wonderful book telling the history of the LGBT+ rights movement from the Stonewall riots to the year 2019 through photographs from several Pride parades and demonstrations. There was not a lot of text - a few articles from newspapers from different decades etc - but that wasn’t really what the book was about so I didn’t mind. The photos were the main point and, oh my lord, they were beautiful and moving.
Highly recommend!
Highly recommend!
June 30, 2019
It seems quite transphobic and trans erasing. An incomplete book.
July 25, 2021
This was a great quick summary of pride history from Stonewall up until now. This book is full of beautiful pictures that truly capture the spirit of the community well. I believe this would be a great book for anyone who would like a bit of an introduction into the history of the LGBTQ+ community and the progression of gay rights in America.
June 29, 2019
Today is the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots so I read this book in commemoration. The book was divided into five sections, each of which focused on a decade in the LGBTQ rights movement. The book is by the New York Times, so included photographs and selected articles from the newspaper. Each section was prefaced with a collage of words from LGBTQ-related news articles from the decade and a one-page summary of important events related to the LGBTQ rights movement that occurred during the decade.
I enjoyed this snapshot view of the each decade in the LGBTQ rights movement. I have read a lot about the movement during the '70s and '80s, but appreciated how this book also discussed recent events in the LGBTQ rights movement, such as the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court same-sex wedding cake case, in which the Court ruled in favor of the Colorado baker.
The book incorrectly attributed George Baker as the creator of the rainbow flag when it was Gilbert Baker. The pejorative term "transgendered" was used. I had difficulty reading some of the news articles in the book, particularly those that used a black background, but this could be attributed to my reading the Kindle edition of the book on my phone instead of reading the physical book – 3 stars.
I enjoyed this snapshot view of the each decade in the LGBTQ rights movement. I have read a lot about the movement during the '70s and '80s, but appreciated how this book also discussed recent events in the LGBTQ rights movement, such as the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court same-sex wedding cake case, in which the Court ruled in favor of the Colorado baker.
The book incorrectly attributed George Baker as the creator of the rainbow flag when it was Gilbert Baker. The pejorative term "transgendered" was used. I had difficulty reading some of the news articles in the book, particularly those that used a black background, but this could be attributed to my reading the Kindle edition of the book on my phone instead of reading the physical book – 3 stars.
July 29, 2019
June 2019 marked the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn riots/rebellion that began June 28, 1969 in Greenwich Village in New York City. Erroneously most people think of it as the start of the LGBTQ rights movement in which LGBTQ persons openly express their frustration and actively resist being “abused, ignored, and criminalized by science, religion, the family, and the state.”
As might be expected, a relatively large number of publications were released for the anniversary because that rebellion has taken on almost mythical significance.
Some of those publications, like this one, are primarily a collection of photographs. The images in this book come from the New York Times archives and, therefore, puts the emphasis on protests and parades in New York City from 1970 to the present.
Before Stonewall, there were other uprisings over the lack of rights and the abuse LGBTQ persons experienced, but those protests were usually “polite” and well-ordered and resulted in little change.
Stonewall, however, happened at the end of a decade of societal change. Many LGBTQ persons became radicalized by the success of other minority groups and were no longer willing to be polite about their second-class status in the US.
Within fifty years, LGBTQ people have moved (at least in large cities and on the coasts) from the shadows and the labels of being sinners, criminals, perverts, deviants, and diseased into the daily life of America (and many other nations).
Beginning in 1970 with the first Pride march, the images in this book show, rather, than tell the story of the struggle for visibility, equality, and acceptance. In pictures more than words, the book documents the movement’s successes and failures, portrays changes in tactics as more LGBTQ people resisted and showed themselves, and makes clear that the “battle” is not yet over. In short, Pride is the story of a dramatic and major cultural, social, medical, and legal transformation of America.
As might be expected, a relatively large number of publications were released for the anniversary because that rebellion has taken on almost mythical significance.
Some of those publications, like this one, are primarily a collection of photographs. The images in this book come from the New York Times archives and, therefore, puts the emphasis on protests and parades in New York City from 1970 to the present.
Before Stonewall, there were other uprisings over the lack of rights and the abuse LGBTQ persons experienced, but those protests were usually “polite” and well-ordered and resulted in little change.
Stonewall, however, happened at the end of a decade of societal change. Many LGBTQ persons became radicalized by the success of other minority groups and were no longer willing to be polite about their second-class status in the US.
Within fifty years, LGBTQ people have moved (at least in large cities and on the coasts) from the shadows and the labels of being sinners, criminals, perverts, deviants, and diseased into the daily life of America (and many other nations).
Beginning in 1970 with the first Pride march, the images in this book show, rather, than tell the story of the struggle for visibility, equality, and acceptance. In pictures more than words, the book documents the movement’s successes and failures, portrays changes in tactics as more LGBTQ people resisted and showed themselves, and makes clear that the “battle” is not yet over. In short, Pride is the story of a dramatic and major cultural, social, medical, and legal transformation of America.
August 16, 2019
It was a bit harrowing to read about the ebbs and surges of LGBTQ+ rights in the United States. The 80s really hit me hard because, of course I knew about the AIDS epidemic, but I didn't really think of the power vacuum that would have come out of so many gay deaths.
In all honesty, I think I was underwhelmed.
It wasn't just a picture book; there was an attempt at contextualizing the LGBTQ rights movement. I thought that analysis, though, was a bit disingenuous. They mention trailblazers like Ellen and Rosie O'Donnell by name, coming out of the 90s... But I don't remember them mentioning Marsha P. Johnson or Sylvia Rivera.
And it wasn't just a matter of the NYT not having a picture of them because Ellen and Rosie weren't pictured either. In fact, the only person of color that I can specifically remember getting a mention was Ru Paul.
Whitewashing LGBTQ history is a real problem.
And ironically if they'd kept it to just the pictures, there would have been more diversity overall anyway.
In all honesty, I think I was underwhelmed.
It wasn't just a picture book; there was an attempt at contextualizing the LGBTQ rights movement. I thought that analysis, though, was a bit disingenuous. They mention trailblazers like Ellen and Rosie O'Donnell by name, coming out of the 90s... But I don't remember them mentioning Marsha P. Johnson or Sylvia Rivera.
And it wasn't just a matter of the NYT not having a picture of them because Ellen and Rosie weren't pictured either. In fact, the only person of color that I can specifically remember getting a mention was Ru Paul.
Whitewashing LGBTQ history is a real problem.
And ironically if they'd kept it to just the pictures, there would have been more diversity overall anyway.
January 2, 2026
really cool photo book including a brief description at the start of each decade and photos from the decade alongside news articles of the times.
big drawback: they elected not to credit photographers alongside the photos. it's really not hard to give credit to photographers and I will always be adamantly against any publication who doesn't. to be fair, there is a photo credits section at the back of the book with names and corresponding page numbers, but it kind of defeats the point because I doubt many people are going through that section and finding the corresponding photos. a simple credit below the photos is literally easier than creating a section at the back of the book...
big drawback: they elected not to credit photographers alongside the photos. it's really not hard to give credit to photographers and I will always be adamantly against any publication who doesn't. to be fair, there is a photo credits section at the back of the book with names and corresponding page numbers, but it kind of defeats the point because I doubt many people are going through that section and finding the corresponding photos. a simple credit below the photos is literally easier than creating a section at the back of the book...
February 2, 2022
Page 191 has Betty White :) 🤍 She was my favorite. I loved the imagery. I did feel that the book didn’t narrate the trans history in the USA 🇺🇸 as well as they could have. They dove into the history of the gay movement very well in the narrative, but I felt they left out the trans 🏳️⚧️ population in the narrative. Also the pictures are outstanding. The photography is unbelievable. 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈
September 7, 2025
If all those protests haven't happened then LGBTQ+ wouldn't have as many rights as they have today. A gentle reminder that we should resolve to live our life authentically. It is a great disservice to oneself to mankind and hinders the evolution of the species if we try to hide what we are. Live fiercely and embrace who you are.
December 24, 2019
Such a great read!!! I loved seeing all the beautiful pictures of prides throughout time! It was awesome to even read some of the news articles during these times! Of course it strikes a cord when I see and read things about Matthew Shepard and Pulse. Such an amazing lgbtq activist book!
September 16, 2019
52 Week Reading Challenge: a book with a one word title
This book is an assemblage of LGBT history as photographed in the 50 years since Stonewall
This book is an assemblage of LGBT history as photographed in the 50 years since Stonewall
April 6, 2020
Each chapter's beginning sets up a new decade, with newspaper articles of major events interspersed with historical photographs.
May 21, 2022
Powerful photos. Newspaper clippings. Educational and powerful.
December 30, 2022
It was a cool experience looking at photos and news articles from the start of the LGBTQ+ movement (1960s) to where the movement is in the modern times.
October 4, 2023
Very informative book going through decades with some information about the LGBTQ+ community has been faced with. Had pictures and newspaper articles.
June 4, 2024
loved this pictures and newspaper stories
July 10, 2024
Enlightening breakdown of pride and protests, separated into each decade. NY Times sheds light on what was happening in the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s and then supports with archived photos. Good read
Read
April 21, 2025Very cool from a visual archive standpoint. Clips and scans from their newspaper were very difficult to read!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews