1979 Gay Freedom Day Parade West Hollywood - July 1, 1979

Bob Doggett, a UCLA Film School student at the time, made what may be one of the earliest videos of the Gay Freedom Day Parade (now called the "Gay Pride Parade") along Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood on July 1, 1979. Gil Dawson assisted by pushing a grocery cart full of car batteries to power the equipment.
Doggett & Dugger Video Services
Producer, Director, Cinematographer: Bob Doggett
Best Boy, Sound Remix: Gil Dawson

[@tomkirby1581]

It is always good to look back at things. It was also sad know that many of the men in the film may not have made it past the AIDS epidemic. I hope they are looking down on us an happy that we did not stop fighting for the freedom.

[@GilDawson]

Hey! Some of us are still alive! --Gil

[@2Brian]

A veritable time capsule of history! This is fantastic.

[@DJBrianAZ]

I miss that time period so much, the friends, the music, the bars. Thanks for sharing your video.

[@stevec0326]

It's' great seeing signs with correct spelling. Those days are long gone.

[@ACwebseries]

This was my first or second Gay Pride Parade in LA. Back when there was a gay community with businesses who could afford to participate. Sadly, along with the acceptance we fight for, our community dissipates. Hardly anymore bars, clubs, restaurants and gay owned shops.

[@jonsmith848]

That's the flip side to Integration...

[@dougl945]

I wish all gay men and women knew what it was like then to fight for rights. Not just marriage, but the right to not be murdered for being gay.
Respect your elders, we fought hard.

[@DiscoMatty79]

It was hard enough growing in the 90s. I can't imagine what it was like in the previous decades 😔

[@homespeter]

thanks for sharing!

[@troysierra5228]

This is way before corporate sponsors. I do miss the creativity and spontaneity of days gone by. I think this was a couple years before WeHo annexed into it's own city.

[@GilDawson]

West Hollywood became a city on November 29, 1984: five years and four months after this parade.

[@aldofhister6859]

Amen ! Nowadays has become a slick PR corporate campaign !
My only regret is I didn't invest in Rainbow producing flag companies

[@Brandon-bs1fb]

Really enjoyed seeing this! 🌈 ♥️

[@ljj2779]

I love it. I want to go to a gay pride parade one day.

[@GilDawson]

+Leon Johnson Well, you sure can when you're old enough. There are gay pride parades in many major cities every summer.

[@ljj2779]

Yep, that's great. I'm probably going to enjoy every minute, or moment of it.

[@WriterVicYates]

Hi. Can I get your permission to use 50 seconds of this in a film project?

[@GilDawson]

I checked with Bob Doggett and he says, "Yes." Best of luck with your project.
--Gil

[@WriterVicYates]

Gil Dawson thank you so much. I really appreciate this

[@gregevans8043]

At 24 minutes into the film, there I am on the cab of the semi trailer, flagging.
My newly made friend Ron kept me from falling off all the way down Santa Monica!

[@GilDawson]

You were captured at a moment in history, Greg. Glad to see that you're part of this.
--Gil and Bob

[@gregevans8043]

Thank you for providing the power Gil.

[@gregevans8043]

May I have permission to post a short section of the film on my social media?

[@GilDawson]

Sure.

[@gregevans8043]

Thank You!

[@billy6406]

Does ANYBODY know the name of the song at 24:30 in the video. The boys of Prode are dancing on a truck to it. THANKS!

[@tomfinland9572]

Here's a chunk of fascinating history-- thanks-see my parade channel

[@scott6504]

Now the opening to this would be called "homophobic."