1970: The origin of Pride
June is Pride month, and it would be a totally miss of me not to share some learning on the history of Pride. So, get your rainbows ready, and let’s talk riots and equality of love!
The Origins of Pride
It’s often forgotten that the first Pride event was in commemoration of the Stonewall Riots in June 1969. The first Pride march was organised by Brenda Howard, a bisexual activist, in New York City on the 28th of June 1970, and it was both an act of celebration as well as protest.
The Stonewall Riots began on the 28th of June 1969 when the LGBTQIA+ customers of New York City’s Stonewall Inn resisted police raids on their bar. In this raid, two police officers entered the Stonewall Inn and demanded to ‘check the sex’ of some of the bar’s customers by physical examination. Although the uprising at the Stonewall Inn was spontaneous, it is related to a long history of mistreatment of LGBTQIA+ people in New York, and around the world.
Following the first march in 1970, Brenda Howard went on to organise another event the next year in 1971, and soon Pride parades were established all over the world.
If you want an entertaining, but probably historically accurate version of how Marsha P. Johnson sparked the Stonewall Riots, check out this YouTube video from Drunk History featuring Alexandra Grey & Trace Lysette. I must add this comes with an explicit language warning, in terms of A LOT of *beeps*, but it’s great!
Why is the History of the Pride movement important today?
The history of the Pride movement teaches us about how, in the past, and sometimes today, LGBTQIA+ people are not able to express themselves safely. Thus, the joy found at Pride events across the globe can give power and strength to the aims of the Pride movement.
In order for us to celebrate Pride fully today, it is important to learn about and remember those who fought for the right to celebrate to begin with. Remembering that Pride started as a protest reminds us of how Pride today can continue the fight for the rights of LGBTQIA+ people across the globe.
Being LGBTQIA+ is still illegal in 71 countries, and is punishable by death in 11 of them. And in the UK, transgender people continue to be excluded from the Governments proposed conversation therapy ban.
And in case you were wondering, this also explains why there is not a “straight pride” event — because the number of countries where heterosexual relationships are illegal is 0.
Learning about how LGBTQIA+ rights were won illuminates the importance of continuing to campaign for the rights of all LGBTQIA+ people. Similarly, reflecting upon how the Pride movement was started ensures that Pride month today still honours and belongs to the LGBTQIA+ community rather than the businesses that might attempt to commercialise it for their own gains.
So, if this month you felt that including a rainbow logo on your social media accounts through June was enough to show up as an ally to the community, I invite you now to think more deeply about why Pride exists. What can you do to show up in support of the LGBTQIA+ people in your social circles and your workforce?
Let’s move that Allyship dial from performative to actionable — and not just for June!
*A special note, just for you.
If you’re having a tough time with your own gender identity or sexuality, there is lots of help and support out there for you — you are not alone.
I am always here for anyone who needs a friend in this community, and there are more links below for you to access for help and resources too.
You are special, you are valued, and you are loved.
