NYC Library Archives
47 Years Of LGBTQ Pride
NYC’s first Pride March was in June 1970, soon followed by Los Angeles Pride, Chicago Pride, and Pride San Francisco that same year. As the oldest member of the World Of Wonder family, let’s get the party started with my own list of Top 47 Gay Anthems… because I was there from the start:
- Liza Minnelli– Losing My Mind (1989)
(Stephen Sondheim)
Photograph by Olle Lindeborg/AFP
- ABBA – Dancing Queen (1976)
(Benny Andersson, Stig Anderson, Björn Ulvaeus)
- Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive (1979)
(Dino Fekaris, Freddie Perren)
- Diana Ross – I’m Coming Out (1980)
(Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers)
- Village People – Y.M.C.A. (1978)
(Jacques Morali, Victor Willis, Henri Belolo)
- The Weather Girls – It’s Raining Men (1983)
(Paul Jabara, Paul Shaffer)
Photograph by Max Redfern
- Sylvester – You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) (1978)
(James Wirrick, Sylvester)
- Shirley Bassey – This Is My Life (La Vita) (1979)
(Bruno Canfora, Antonio Amurri, Norman Newell)
- Right Said Fred – I’m Too Sexy (1991)
(Fred Fairbrass, Richard Fairbrass, Rob Manzoli)
- Grace Jones – Slave To The Rhythm (1985)
(Bruce Woolley, Simon Darlow)
- Bronski Beat – Why (1984)
(Steve Bronski, Jimmy Somerville, Larry Steinbachek)
- Divine – Shoot Your Shot (1982)
(Bobby Orlando)
- Disco Tex And His Sex-o-lettes – Get Dancin’ (1974)
(Bob Crewe, Sir Monti Rock III)
Photograph by Kevin Mazur
- Gloria Gaynor – I Am What I Am (1984)
(Jerry Herman)
- Donna Summer – Love To Love You, Baby (1975)
(Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder, Pete Bellotte)
- Alicia Bridges – I Love The Nightlife (1978)
(Alicia Bridges, Susan Hutcheson)
- Blondie – Atomic (1979)
(Debbie Harry, Jimmy Destri)
- Sister Sledge – We Are Family (1979)
(Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers)
- Yazoo – Don’t Go (1982)
(Vince Clark)
- Bette Midler – I’m Beautiful Dammit! (1993)
(Orville Brimsley Adams)
- Madonna – Vogue (1990)
(Madonna)
- Frankie Goes To Hollywood – Relax (1984)
(Peter Gill, Holly Johnson, Brian Nash, Mark O’Toole)
Cher – Strong Enough (1999)
(Mark Taylor, Paul Barry)
- Pet Shop Boys – New York City Boy (1999)
(Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe)
- Irene Cara– Fame (1980)
(Michael Gore, Dean Pitchford)
- Joe Jackson– Steppin’ Out (1982)
(Joe Jackson)
- Moby – Bittersweet Symphony (1997)
(Richard Melville Hall)
Photograph by Dave Hogan
- George Michael – Outside (1998)
(George Michael)
- Julie Andrews – Do Re Mi (DJ Weasl Lederhosen mix) (1959)
(Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II)
- Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer – No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) (1979)
(Paul Jabara, Bruce Roberts)
- Ce Ce Peniston – Finally (1992)
(Ce Ce Peniston, Felipe Delgado)
- Kool & The Gang – Celebration (1980)
(Ronald Nathan, Bell Claydes, Charles Smith, George Melvin Brown)
- Wham – Wake Me Up Before You Go Go (1984)
(George Michael)
- Pet Shop Boys and Dusty Springfield – What Have I Done To Deserve This (1987)
(Neil Tennant, Chris Lowe, Allee Willis)
- The Pointer Sisters – I’m So Exited (1984)
(Anita Pointer, June Pointer, Ruth Pointer)
- Hildegard Knef – Fur Mich Soll Es Rote Rosen Regnen (1969)
(Kurt Edelhagen)
- David Bowie– Boys Keep Swinging (1979)
(David Bowie)
- Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (feat. Mary Lambert)- Same Love (2012)
(Ben Haggerty, Ryan Lewis, Mary Lambert)
Photograph by D Dipasupil/FilmMagic
- Mika– Grace Kelly (2007)
(Mika)
- Pink– Let’s Get This Party Started (2001)
(Linda Perry)
Photograph by Gilles Petard
- Thelma Houston– Don’t Leave Me This Way (1976)
(Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff,Cary Gilbert)
- The Scissor Sisters– Let’s Have A Kiki (2012)
(Jason Sellards, Scott Hoffman, Ana Lynch)
- Cyndi Lauper– True Colors (1986)
(Cyndi Lauper)
- Kylie Minogue– All The Lovers (2010)
(Jim Eliot, Mima Stilwell)
- Lady Gaga– Born This Way (2011)
(Stefani Germanotta)
- RuPaul – Supermodel (You Better Work) (1993)
(RuPaul, Jimmy Harry, Larry Tee)
- Judy Garland – Somewhere Over The Rainbow (1939)
(Harold Arlen, Yip Harburg)
This is my list, but there are many more anthems to embrace. Did I miss your favorite? I’d love to hear your choices. Go to the World Of Wonder page on The Facebook and leave a comment on this post. Be Brave. Be Loud. Be Proud.
