LGBTQIA+ History Month Concludes with Unveiling of Historical Marker at Site of Seattle’s First Pride Celebration in Pioneer Square

SEATTLE – The story behind Seattle’s queer history has now taken its rightful place alongside other sites and events that helped shape Pacific Northwest history as part of Pioneer Square’s Trail to Treasure historic walking trails and waysides.

The new historical marker was unveiled at a public ceremony beginning at 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29 in Occidental Square, the site of Seattle’s first Pride celebration commemorating its 50th anniversary as part of National LGBTQIA+ History Month. Joining Seattle Pride® and the Alliance for Pioneer Square in the unveiling will be community leaders and members of Seattle’s queer community.

The marker — designed by the creative team at Seattle-based brand strategy and interactive agency People People — is the 15th informational panel on the Alliance’s Trail to Treasure self-guided walking tour route located on sidewalks throughout the Pioneer Square neighborhood. The new installation featuring historical storytelling and photos educates about the origins and organizers of Seattle’s Pride celebrations, the history of Pioneer Square as Seattle’s original queer neighborhood, and a timeline of the city’s LGBTQIA+ milestones.

The idea for a historic marker was the brainchild of Seattle Pride staff following a Beneath the Streets Queer Underground History Tour last year.

“The tour reminded us of the important place Pioneer Square holds in Seattle’s rich queer history,” said Seattle Pride Executive Director Patti Hearn. “We wanted to make sure our community’s story is memorialized as part of Seattle’s historical narrative, which is made even more meaningful during the 50th anniversary year of Seattle’s first Pride celebration.”

“The Alliance is excited to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Seattle's first official Pride celebration in Pioneer Square,” said Alliance for Pioneer Square Executive Director Lisa Howard. “We are proud to mark the LGBTQ+ community's past and present role in our neighborhood.”

Free Trail to Treasure walking tour maps are available throughout the Pioneer Square neighborhood including the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (319 2nd Ave S) and at information booths in Occidental Square and Pioneer Square Park.

Following the unveiling ceremony, the public was invited to take part in a 15-minute queer history walking tour led by Beneath the Streets. For more information, visit SeattlePride.org.