By Angela Dimaano, Thunderbolt Editor
June has traditionally been recognized as Pride Month to commemorate the Stonewall riots in New York just a little over 50 years ago. Pride is the celebration of the accomplishments and impact of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer+ (LGBTQ+) community. Parades and events take place in many countries throughout the month of June to unite, educate, and celebrate Pride in the community. However, the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic has halted many in-person Pride events, leaving many devastated about not being able to attend these yearly opportunities. Online events such as livestreams will allow most to join in on Pride, regardless of whether this is their first or fifth Pride celebration. There is great importance in remembering that even though June is Pride month, Pride can be celebrated in numerous ways year round, in-person or online.
The origins of support for the LGBTQ+ community in the United States began in the 1950s, which gave rise to some largely recognized LGBTQ+ organizations. The Mattachine Society was founded in 1950, as one of the earliest LGBTQ+ organizations in the U.S. Harry Hay, a gay activist, who formed the organization with his friends to improve and protect the rights of homosexuals. The Society sponsored group discussions to provide a space for homosexuals to share their feelings and experiences as living in a not fully accepting society. Another group was The Daughters of Bilitis, the first lesbian civil and political rights organization in the U.S, who were formed in 1955 by four lesbian couples who strove to provide support for women who were afraid to come out and reveal their sexuality. The Daughters followed the movement developed by the Mattachine Society that encouraged members to assimilate into the heterosexual dominant society. Even with the establishment of these organizations, society was still not largely welcoming of the community. Going into the 1960s, LGBTQ+ individuals would continue to suppress their sexuality in fears of being ousted and possibly arrested as solicitation of same-sex relations was illegal in some cities such as New York City. Places of open expression and socialization, such as gay bars and clubs, became a source of temporary refuge for LGBTQ+ individuals. Unfortunately, having these locations did not stop police raids and the harassment of LGBTQ+ individuals for many years, even with activists fighting for gay rights.
A sparking point of the physical movement for gay rights were the Stonewall Riots, in New York. In 1967, the Genovese crime family, who had recognized the profit in catering to homosexuals, opened the Stonewall Inn as a gay bar. The family had bribed the New York Police Department’s Sixth Police Precinct to not interfere with the bar and with that, the Inn grew to be an important component of the lives of its attendees. Sometimes raids would occur at Stonewall and other crime family-run bars, but corrupt cops would tip off the bars to stash their alcohol and hide any other incriminating activities. Yet, on June 28th, 1969, Stonewall had not been warned, leading to the abuse of patrons and arrest of thirteen individuals. Enraged patrons and neighborhood residents began riots to protest the mistreatment of LGBTQ+ individuals. The mob was able to attempt to set the bar on fire, which held barricaded police inside, and the riots continued growing for five days after. Stonewall had begun the gatherings of LGBTQ+ individuals marching for their rights. A year after the riots had taken place, the first gay pride parade was held in New York with a march from Stonewall Inn to Central Park. An important note is that the origin of Pride cannot be mainly attributed to one set of riots such as the Stonewall Riots, but can be attributed to the efforts of many trailblazing individuals and groups fighting for equal rights.
In the current age, Pride events have swelled with attendees world wide throughout the month of June, which was declared “Pride Month” by President Bill Clinton. The most popular form of celebrating Pride are Pride Festivals/Parades. These events happen outdoors and attract millions every year. Pride is a time where the LGBTQ+ community and its allies come together to celebrate how far society has come since the Stonewall Riots over 50 years ago, to share hopes for an even more accepting society in the future, and generate awareness for LGBTQ+ causes. In different countries, Pride takes on activism or just plain celebration dependent on the social/political climate. Pride is not just for celebrating, but also for teaching. Education is also an important part of Pride, allowing anyone to learn about its history and help shape the future of equal treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals.
2020 is the 50th anniversary of the first Pride March in 1970, and will not be able to contain the festive in-person celebrations like every year preceding it because of COVID-19. Online Pride events are being held in place of such as “Global Pride 2020” and “NYC Pride.” These events were broadcasted worldwide with musical performances and appearances from queer icons. The positives of these online only events are the capabilities to reach an even wider community. Not everyone is able to participate in and attend in-person Pride events due to various circumstances, but the hope of online event organizers is to give the opportunity to everyone, no matter who you are, the chance to come together and celebrate Pride with the wider community.
Pride will always be a celebration of the history and future of the LGBTQ+ community for years to come, but what is most important is to continue celebrating and bringing awareness during all parts of the year, not just June. LGBTQ+ Pride has been able to prevail from the police raids in the 60s, all the way up to now with the barrier of a pandemic. Pride should continue all year round up until and after the point where as a society, we can truly say that the LGBTQ+ community can stand as equals with anyone else. Educate yourself as an ally or a member of the community. Bring awareness to others who don’t understand the history of the community. Finally, celebrate Pride year round in any way you can.
Cover photo credits: The City University of New York
