Every June, we celebrate Pride to observe the Stonewall riots. On June 28, 1969, many from the LGBTQIA+ community gathered and protested in response to a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in NYC. This event sparked the gay rights movement in the U.S.
At the time the riots started, homosexual acts were illegal in every state except Illinois. Bars and restaurants were shut down simply for serving gay people or having gay employees. Because of this, police raidings of gay bars were common. However, on this night the community decided to fight back.
It is said that Stonewall was such a turning point for the community and the movement because it was a time of political upheaval, especially for the younger generation. The Vietnam War had radicalized them, and the Civil Rights Movement was gaining ground.
The "Mother of Pride" and its Roots
Known as the "Mother of Pride", Brenda Howard, a bisexual activist, played a key role in the first Pride march in New York City and worked to lead Gay Pride Week and the Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade. The events sparked the celebrations we now see around the world every June.
Bisexual activist Tom Limoncelli stated, "The next time someone asks you why LGBT Pride marches exist or why LGBT Pride Month is June tell them 'A bisexual woman named Brenda Howard thought it should be.'"
When celebrating the history of Pride Month, we would be remiss not to mention Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, two trans women of color said to have resisted arrest and thrown the first objects at the cops. Johnson, Rivera, and many other activists are why the LGBTQ community can celebrate Pride freely today. The community also celebrates Pride for those that live in parts of the world that have yet to accept them.
Pride Events
Pride parades are happening all over the world this year. Not only do these parades celebrate the community and how far they have come, but they are also for celebrating landmark events like the legalization of same-sex marriage. The parades also take time to commemorate victims of AIDS and LGBTQ violence.
Resources
Those of the LGBTQIA+ community, especially youths, are more likely to experience mental health issues and thoughts of self-harm. So, we have put together a brief list of resources if you or someone you know may be struggling:
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line: Text TALK to 741-741
Treatment Referral Hotline: 1-800-662-4357
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
At Medcom, we celebrate diversity and believe in the equality of all humans no matter who you are or who you love. All for love and love for all. Happy Pride Month!
