by Rel Anthony
When you read the word “PRIDE,” is your first thought a community of people wearing rainbows and expressing love equality for all? Pride is primarily a celebration of how far the world has come in terms of equality in gender identity and sexual orientation. Simultaneously it is an activist note of how far we still have to go in order for all people to be accepted. Pride is certainly a celebration with a rich history, but where did the idea of a Pride celebration actually come from?
The Stonewall Riot, otherwise known as the Stonewall Uprising, was the pivotal turning point in history that created what came to be known as Pride. The year was 1969, and few places were accepting of those who were members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA+) community. Of those accepting places, few were ones that allowed dancing as well. Due to the lack of such places for LGBTQIA+ individuals to socialize and be their true selves, the Stonewall Inn became exceedingly popular. The Stonewall Inn was a place where all were welcome, alcohol was allowed, and dance was encouraged.
During the 1960s, police raids were infamous at such establishments for two main reasons. The first was that many of such places were operating without liquor licenses. The second was that though staff allowed LGBTQIA+ individuals to be themselves, queer behavior was still illegal. Even holding hands or dancing with someone of the same sex would be seen as a violation of the law. Despite each person having rights, they were not allowed to love who they wanted to love or express their sexual identity in the way they chose. They were forced to conform.
Many police raids had occurred at such establishments for those reasons, but the raid at the Stonewall Inn in 1969 was different. Those who were being raided decided that it was time to act against the injustice. A riot broke out that night in response to the police raid that was specifically targeting queer individuals. This riot continued for five more days, with more people coming in support. These days of rioting became known as the Stonewall Riots. The Stonewall Riots were the kickoff to an era of resistance to police harassment toward the LGBTQIA+ community, a general lack of acceptance, and an absence of spaces for such individuals to be themselves.
The one-year anniversary of the riots, June 1970, was the first Pride Parade from the Stonewall Inn to Central Park. The rest, as they say, is history. Activism for LGBTQIA+ individuals rose, and Pride continues to be celebrated to this day to celebrate how far we have come and note how far we still have to go. The fight for sexual orientation and gender equality continues to this day.
Keep up to date with upcoming holidays by visiting our DEIB Page or by following us on Facebook or Instagram
