Pride in St. Louis

The Gateway City’s history of LGBTQ+ Pride

In 1980, the Magnolia Committee sponsored the first St. Louis Gay and Lesbian Pride Celebration. It started as a walk for charity but soon grew into a uniting annual event. Inspired by the Stonewall uprising, these early celebrations aimed to give the LGBTQ+ community visibility, support and a sense of belonging when acceptance was far from guaranteed.

Through the years, Pride in St. Louis has evolved. From modest gatherings in Forest Park and student-organized picnics, the event gradually gained momentum and drew larger crowds. By the 2000s, PrideFest had moved to Tower Grove Park and then, in 2013, to downtown St. Louis. This shift allowed the festival to expand significantly, drawing nearly 300,000 attendees by the late 2010s and becoming one of the largest Pride events in the Midwest. Many people from other states would come to St. Louis to celebrate, as their cities did not have as big of a celebration.

PrideFest also brings measurable economic benefits. The annual festival and parade drive significant tourism, fill hotel rooms, boost restaurant traffic and increase retail sales. For many local vendors and artisans, PrideFest is among the most profitable weekends of the year.

In 2025, after major sponsors withdrew, local businesses helped close the gap by donating proceeds, organizing fundraisers and encouraging patrons to contribute. This grassroots support has reinforced the idea that Pride in St. Louis is not just a one-weekend celebration, but rather a city-wide, year-round commitment to equality, visibility and community.

The story of Pride in St. Louis is ultimately one of resilience, partnership and progress. It reflects how meaningful change is built, not just through large events, but through everyday actions by small businesses, volunteers and citizens who believe in the power of inclusion. PrideFest continues to grow, but its heart remains firmly rooted in the local community that helped build it.