The 2025 San Francisco Pride Parade was a vibrant celebration that also served as a protest against increasing federal crackdowns on LGBTQ+ rights. This year's theme, inspired by Audre Lorde, highlighted 'joy as resistance.' Activists like Sharat Lin reminded attendees that Pride originated from struggles for equality. Many attendees, including Community Grand Marshall Jessy Ruiz, showcased solidarity with immigrant rights, using powerful symbols such as the monarch butterfly wings initially used in immigration marches. The parade reinforced the notion that Pride not only celebrates but also advocates for ongoing political freedom and social justice.
Pride, from its origin, is not only a celebration, it's also a protest. Here in San Francisco, where almost everybody supports LGBTQ rights, it's easy to forget that.
When existence is inherently political, even joy has gravity. And Pride's history has always been in the fight for liberation.
I started using the butterfly wings originally in immigration marches. Then I realized it's a beautiful metaphor for so many other things: freedom, metamorphosis.
In the parade, 2025 Community Grand Marshall Jessy Ruiz and Senator Scott Weiner held signs from the passenger seats of their cars, carrying signs that read 'Abolish Ice' and 'ICE out of SF'.
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