This weekend Boston celebrates the 35th annual Gay Pride Festival -- billed as the largest event of its type in New England. By the organizers' accounts, over 400,000 individuals have participated in Boston Pride events in recent years.

Held in many major cities throughout the United States and across the globe, Pride festivals began in the early 70's as a political consciousness raising event as the Gay Rights movement accelerated after the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City. In recent years, as acceptance of gay communities has become more mainstream in the progressive urban areas, these celebrations have taken on more of a decidedly celebration-like atmosphere with the financial backing of huge corporate sponsors like Bud Light, Delta Airlines, Verizon, and HP.

But as the battle for full equality continues, Pride festivals have not abandoned the political all together. It's never unusual for gay-friendly candidates to march in the parades, or for city governments to play an important organizing or sponsorship role. Boston Pride 2005 is no exception. In fact, the title of the event almost expects a political sensibility amongst it's participants as their slogan reads: "What's your fight?" Furthermore the Boston event takes great pride in the fact that:

...our community celebrates in the only state that allows same-sex couples the legal right to marry!

But with the political element to Pride also comes the parties, and the celebratory aspect is certainly not absent in Boston this year. A visit to the Boston Pride website lists the plethora of celebrations that will occur throughout the weekend. Some of the highlights that Bostonist will certainly check out include:
* The Gay Idol competition at Club Café in Boston at 7:00 Thursday
* The Boston Pride Opening Party at Embassy on Lansdowne at 9:00 Thursday
* The Official Dyke March on the Boston Common at 6:00 Friday as well as the Dyke March After Party at Toast Lounge in Somerville at 9:00 Friday
* The Boston Pride Closing Party at Avalon at 10:00 Sunday.
Be sure to see the complete calendar of events here

Of course, we would be remiss if we neglect to mention the most popular events of the weekend -- the Pride Parade at noon Saturday. Participants march from Copley Square, through the South End, into the Boston Common for a huge Pride Festival featuring hundreds of vendors, community groups, and entertainment all appealing to the diversity of the Boston Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Ally community.