Harvey Milk's election in 1977 proved that Pride's message of visibility could become real political power. When he commissioned artist Gilbert Baker to create a symbol for the movement, neither could have predicted the global impact. Baker's rainbow flag, hand-dyed in a San Francisco attic and deliberately left untrademarked, became the universal language of LGBTQ+ pride.

The first Pride marches weren't parades - they were protests born from a doughnut shop brawl and nights of rioting against police brutality. In May 1959, customers at Cooper Do-nuts in Los Angeles pelted cops with coffee cups and doughnuts when officers tried to arrest five people for simply existing while queer. A decade later, the Stonewall uprising erupted when a crowd finally said "enough" to constant police harassment.

From hidden forum posts to worldwide celebrations, the internet revolutionised bear culture in the 1990s. In these first online chat rooms, isolated individuals discovered their global family and shared experiences that were once impossible. As digital connections grew into real-world gatherings like the International Bear Rendezvous, a vibrant worldwide community emerged.

Journey through the untold story of bear culture, from a single motorcycle club meeting in 1966 to a worldwide movement. Discover how thicker, hairier men challenged gay beauty standards, finding solidarity amidst the AIDS crisis, and transformed teddy bears into powerful symbols of affection and belonging. A story of revolution that changed LGBTQ+ culture forever.

From Gilbert Baker's original 8 colours to today's inclusive Progress Pride flag, discover how our rainbow banner evolved alongside our growing LGBTQ+ family. Each iteration tells a story of visibility, resistance, and hope - reflecting our community's journey from the dark days after Harvey Milk's assassination to today's colourful celebration of diversity.