{{Short description|Annual LGBTQIA+ parade in Australia}} {{AI-generated|date=October 2025}} alt=People on street holding a black sign with silver lettering that says "Pride March Adelaide".|thumb|Adelaide Pride March in 2013 The '''Adelaide Pride March''' is an annual LGBTQIA+ parade held in Adelaide, South Australia. The first organised march was in 1973 as part of a week of activities held across Australia including Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney for national 'Gay Pride Week'. Annual marches were established in 2003 as part of the Feast Festival. The event builds on earlier LGBTQIA+ activism in South Australia, particularly the 1973 Proud Parade, one of the earliest organised LGBTQIA+ demonstrations in Australia.

== History == The first organised LGBTQIA+ march in Adelaide was the ''Proud Parade'', held on 15 September 1973 by the Gay Activists Alliance Adelaide.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Proud Parade |url=https://sahistoryhub.history.sa.gov.au/milestone/proud-parade/ |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=History Hub |language=en-US}}</ref> It formed part of a national Gay Pride Week, with a range of activities raising awareness of the gay liberation movement, held in Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=National Film and Sound Archive of Australia |title=Gay Pride Week 1973 |url=https://www.nfsa.gov.au/latest/gay-pride-week-1973 |website=NFSA}}</ref>Additionally, the Adelaide march followed the death of Dr George Ian Duncan, a University of Adelaide law lecturer who drowned in the River Torrens in May 1972 after being attacked for being gay.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2015-08-24 |title=SA marks 40 years since decriminalisation of homosexuality |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-24/sa-marks-40-years-decriminalisation-homosexuality/6715308 |access-date=2025-09-03 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> His death prompted public debate and became a catalyst for law reform regarding homosexuality in South Australia.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Dichiera |first=Claudia |date=2023-05-17 |title=Fifty more years of fighting for queer rights |url=https://citymag.indaily.com.au/happening/community/fifty-more-years-of-fighting-for-queer-rights/ |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=CityMag |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Review of Living Out Loud: A History of Gay and Lesbian Activism in Australia, Sydney, by Graham Willett |url=https://www.monash.edu/arts/philosophical-historical-indigenous-studies/eras/past-editions/edition-one-june-2001/review-of-living-out-loud-a-history-of-gay-and-lesbian-activism-in-australia-sydney-by-graham-willett |access-date=2025-09-04 |website=School of Philosophical, Historical and Indigenous Studies |language=en}}</ref>

The 1973 march, which attracted around 100 participants, is recognised as one of the earliest public pride events in Australia.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=McKinnon |first=Scott |date=2022-04-12 |title='Cold case' gay murders: two books illuminate Australia's dark history of police and military violence |url=http://theconversation.com/cold-case-gay-murders-two-books-illuminate-australias-dark-history-of-police-and-military-violence-179093 |access-date=2025-09-04 |website=The Conversation |language=en-US}}</ref> The march raised awareness of issues affecting LGBTQIA+ people, including discrimination and legal inequalities. Early activism during this period helped shape the political climate in which Premier Don Dunstan and the South Australian parliament passed legislation in 1975 decriminalising male homosexuality, making South Australia the first Australian state to do so.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Education Services Australia Limited |date=2010 |title=Gay pride march in Adelaide |url=https://www.naa.gov.au/students-and-teachers/learning-resources/learning-resource-themes/society-and-culture/gender-and-sexuality/gay-pride-march-adelaide |website=National Archive of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=a1198610 |date=11 Sep 2025 |title=Breaking Barriers: 50 Years Since the Decriminalisation of Homosexuality in South Australia |url=https://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/news/list/2025/09/11/breaking-barriers-50-years-since-the-decriminalisation-of-homosexuality-in |website=University of Adelaide Library}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-27 |title=SA’s queer milestone reminds us that the work is never done - CityMag {{!}} InDaily, Inside South Australia |url=https://www.indailysa.com.au/citymag/culture/2025/02/27/sas-queer-milestone-reminds-us-that-the-work-is-never-done |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=www.indailysa.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

An annual Adelaide Pride March was established in 2003, when it became closely associated with the Feast Festival, South Australia's LGBTQIA+ arts and cultural festival.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2003-11-08 |title=First gay pride march staged in Adelaide in 30 years |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-11-08/first-gay-pride-march-staged-in-adelaide-in-30/1506048 |access-date=2025-11-19 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> Since then the event has grown to include thousands of participants, including community organisations, advocacy groups and allies.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Wells |first=Olivia |title=Adelaide Pride March: Legacy and Solidarity – The Adelaide Review |url=https://www.adelaidereview.com.au/latest/news/2016/10/24/adelaide-pride-march-legacy-solidarity/ |access-date=2025-09-02 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pride Walk |url=https://www.experienceadelaide.com.au/visit/things-to-do/heritage/pride-walk/ |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=Experience Adelaide |language=en-AU}}</ref>

In 2023, Adelaide marked the 50th anniversary of the 1973 ''Proud Parade'' with commemorative events that highlighted the historical significance of LGBTQIA+ activism in South Australia.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=ARE.SA |first=WE |date=2025-10-01 |title=Milestone for SA's nation-leading law reform |url=https://www.weare.sa.gov.au/news/milestone-for-sas-nation-leading-gay-law-reform |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=WE ARE.SA |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=a1198610 |date=20 Sep 2023 |title=Celebrate 50 Years Proud |url=https://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/news/list/2023/09/20/celebrate-50-years-proud |website=University of Adelaide Library}}</ref>

One of the leading organisers of the Adelaide Pride March, Eric Kuhlmann, passed away in 2025, aged 50. <ref>{{Cite web|title=Communities Across Australia Mourn Performer and Community Leader, Eric Kuhlmann|url=https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/communities-across-australia-mourn-performer-and-community-leader-eric-kuhlmann/239553|website=Star Observer|date=2025-11-04|access-date=2025-11-28|language=en-US|first=Lydia|last=Jupp}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=KUHLMANN, Eric Martin {{!}} Tributes & Funerals {{!}} The Canberra Times {{!}} Canberra, ACT|url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/tributes-funerals/death-notices/737695/kuhlmann-eric-martin/|website=www.canberratimes.com.au|access-date=2025-11-28|language=en-au}}</ref>

== Route and activities == The march traditionally proceeds along central streets of Adelaide, often beginning near Rundle Street or Hindley Street before converging in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adelaide |first=Pride |date=2024-06-10 |title=🏳️‍🌈 Pride March to Poppin Out 🏳️‍🌈 |url=https://www.prideadelaide.org/post/pride-march-to-poppin-out |access-date=2025-09-04 |website=Pride Adelaide |language=en}}</ref> Activities include speeches, performances, and displays from local artists and community organisations.<ref name=":1" />

== Social and cultural significance == The Adelaide Pride March has played an important role in increasing public awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues and promoting social inclusion.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> It commemorates local LGBTQIA+ activism and highlights ongoing challenges faced in South Australia. The march has similarities and connections with Australian pride parades<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Markwell |first=Kevin |last2=Waitt |first2=Gordon |date=2009-05-13 |title=Festivals, Space and Sexuality: Gay Pride in Australia |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/14616680902827092 |journal=Tourism Geographies |volume=11 |issue=2 |pages=143–168 |doi=10.1080/14616680902827092 |issn=1461-6688}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossetto |first=Jacinta |date=2024-06-03 |title=Pride without Pause: Why Australia Celebrates Pride Year-Round |url=https://www.qutglass.com/pride-without-pause-why-australia-celebrates-pride-year-round/ |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=Glass |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-10 |title=Gay Pride Week, 1973 |url=https://queerozfolk.com.au/gay-pride-week-1973/ |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=Queer Oz Folk |language=en-AU}}</ref> while commemorating South Australia's historical role in advancing LGBTQIA+ rights reform during the 1970s.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" />

== References == <references />

== External links ==

* Adelaide Pride March [https://www.prideadelaide.org/march official website] * Australian Queer Archives [https://queerarchives.org.au/posts/latest-news/adelaide-pride-73-remembered/ Adelaide Pride ’73 remembered]

Category:LGBTQ culture in Adelaide Category:Pride parades in Australia Category:Recurring events established in 2003 Category:Festivals in Adelaide Category:LGBTQ events in Australia Category:Parades in Australia Category:1973 in Australia