Today, Pride parades are still fun and important events and are usually like festivals filled with joy. Bigger parades include loud music, body painting, costumes and (5)drag queens. You may see people in rainbow wings or (6) sporting face glitter . Or both . As well as being very powerful and a beautiful way to show love and kindness, these events remain important in raising awareness among the general public. For example , it could be argued that the (7)legalization of same-sex marriage in Taiwan in 2019 (8)owed a debt to the annual Pride parades, which have been held there since 2003.

Last year, the 50th anniversary of the first Pride parade was celebrated around the world. In Mexico, people performed songs and took part in a community program that gave free meals to the homeless. In London, people in their 70s and 80s celebrated on the streets with the younger (9)participants. Although it was a (10)socially distanced march (11) due to COVID-19 (12)restrictions, it was still full of community spirit and love. Smaller parades happen, too, in local towns and cities. Whether large or small, the parades are a time to honor the history of the LGBTQ movement as well as (13)seeking to bring the community together.