For the 55th year, Chicago’s Pride Parade is stepping off to celebrate the city’s LGBTQ+ community.
This year’s theme, “Free to Be Proud,” comes amid increasing attacks on the LGBTQ+ community across the nation — including in Illinois, which is largely considered a haven for queer people in the Midwest.
“It acknowledges that equality is not yet universal and that many in our community still face barriers to safety, dignity, and self-expression,” the parade’s organizers said in a statement.
What is the parade route, and how can I navigate the area?
The parade will step off at 11 a.m. Sunday at North Sheridan Road and North Broadway, and will go south on Halsted Street, east on West Belmont Avenue, south on Broadway and east on West Diversey Avenue to Sheridan to disband.
Pedestrian crossings will be available on Halsted Street at West Addison Street, West Cornelia Avenue and West Buckingham Place. On Broadway, pedestrian crossings will be Briar Place and West Wellington Avenue.
For attendees looking for an accessible viewing area, 600 West Diversey Avenue has accessible bathrooms and ADA accomodations.
City cooling buses will be at the following locations:
- Addison west of Halsted
- Roscoe west of Halsted
- Belmont east of Broadway
- Wilton north of Belmont
- Waveland between Broadway and Halsted
- Belmont westbound between Halsted and Clark
More information can be found on the parade’s website.
How do I get there? What streets will be closed?
Parking restrictions will begin at 2 a.m. Sunday morning along the parade route, as well as some surrounding streets. Street closures will begin at 7:30 a.m., and parade route closures will begin at 8:30 a.m., including Irving Park Road and Wellington Avenue at Broadway, as well as Addison, Grace and Roscoe at Halsted Street. All closures are expected to be lifted by 4 p.m.
The nearest CTA stations, which tend to be some of the most crowded areas of the parade, are the Red Line Sheridan and Addison stations; the Brown Line’s Southport, Wellington and Diversey stations; and the multiple-line Belmont station.
Nearby bus lines include the Nos. 8, 22, 36, 80 and 152, and Metra will run extra service nearby to accommodate extra riders.
What can I bring?
Allowed: Strollers, binoculars, cameras, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, snacks and other items to manage the heat.
Not allowed: Alcohol, bicycles, scooters, coolers, drones, fireworks, folding chairs, propane, propane tanks, tents, canopies, structures, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, vending items and weapons
What about security?
City officials said Friday the Chicago Police Department, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, and parade organizers have worked for months to ensure the parade stays a safe and welcoming environment.
“We are ready to secure the parade route and safeguard the community area before, during and after the parade,” said CPD Chief Angel Novalez. “We will maintain a visible presence to ensure everyone is able to safely enjoy this parade that honors the strength and diversity of our LGBTQ+ community.”
Officials acknowledged that over the years the largest safety concerns occur once the official parade ends, often leading to spontaneous gatherings that could lead to disorder or violence.
Novalez did not reveal any specific operation details, but he did share that CPD reviewed after-action reports from previous years to identify gaps in its response plans. The department has since added supervisory personnel to respond more quickly if multiple incidents occur.
Who will be in the parade?
The Puerto Rican Cultural Center will march at the front of the parade for its “tireless work in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood to dismantle homophobia and transphobia while integrating LGBTQ+ advocacy into the core of public health and housing justice,” according to the parade’s organizers.
Behind them, the Chi-Town Dykes and Bike and Mics and the Lakeside Pride Music Ensemble will open the parade alongside the Community Grand Marshals: journalist and historian Tracy Baim, civil rights leader Mona Noriega, philanthropist and community advocate Evette Cardona, and the state’s LGBTQ+ judges’ association, the Alliance of Illinois Judges.
Private security as well as the Chicago Police Department will also be at the parade, including plainclothes officers, though there is no actionable intelligence” on threats, according to the Office of Emergency Management and Communications.