John “Mad Dog” Hall and his husband were in Chicago this year for a meeting of his husband’s company during the last weekend of June. That Sunday morning, as they were going to breakfast, they came up on a small group of people who were obviously going to that day’s Pride festivities, dressed in colorful gear. They were waiting to cross the street.

That’s when Hall decided to play a mischievous prank to get their attention.

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“We got right behind them and I yelled ‘MAGA, MAGA!'” Hall told LGBTQ Nation. “And I could see them cringe.”

Then they turned around and saw a bright red baseball cap on Hall’s head: the 73-year-old’s hat said, “Make America GAY Again!”

“They broke into laughter,” Hall said. “We crossed the street together and walked along talking. Eventually, they went to the parade and my husband and I went to meet a friend at the breakfast place, but before they went on their way, I asked them if I could take their picture.”

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Hall said he felt good meeting people with a common interest and love for each other.

Thousands of people ended up showing up for Chicago’s Pride event despite cutbacks and reduced funding from the city. Before the parade, food vendors, face painters, and merch booths were set up for the attendees. Crowds formed by 10 a.m., and when the parade began at 11 a.m., people were elbow-to-elbow crowds on the sidewalks, The Chicago Tribune reported.

Local religious groups, radio stations, and even the local fire department and schools marched. Crowds on the sidewalk cheered them on, waving rainbow flags and dancing, while people in buildings viewed the parade from their open windows.

The parade took on a special importance this year because of the upcoming elections. But Hall and the Pride-going crowd showed how an event can empower and bring LGBTQ+ people and allies together in the face of opposition. If anything, America is greater because of its gayness, and queer Pride is just one powerful way that the community shows its strength and love.

Pride in Pictures is LGBTQ Nation’s annual series celebrating Pride across the country. We asked our readers to send in their pictures and stories of Pride and we got so many rainbows. Keep an eye out for more heartwarming stories to get you ready for Pride Month 2024.