Pride Without Prejudice
July 11, 2021
Jonathan Tick contributed to this post.
As another June Pride Month passes us by, let’s take a final look back and celebrate the vast spectrum of gender and human identity, as well as the tumultuous history that’s sparked the modern movement for LGBT rights worldwide. As of now, there are over 30 different pride or pride-related flags that’re used in circulation today, ranging from the traditional six-color rainbow flag to more niche ones like the lipstick lesbian flag, a not widely used but still important flag that represents and celebrates the femmes within the lesbian community.
So, how did the Pride Movement come to be?
During the 1960’s, same-sex relationships were considered illegal in places like New York City, and the only refuge that members of the LGBT community were able to express themselves in were at gay bars and clubs, as within them, they were able to hide from the scrutiny the law had for them. However, the NYC liquor authority attempted to shut down these bars and called the gathering of homosexuals ‘disorderly.’ Activists then began to fight for their rights and were able to win back their right to be served alcohol in those locations, though public displays of gay affection were still disallowed.
However, because the bars functioned without liquor licenses, raids on these unlicensed bars were frequent. On June 28th, police officers armed with warrants raided Stonewall Inn, an unlicensed bar, and not only confiscated the bootlegged alcohol, but also harassed and beat patrons to the point of taking several cross-dressed patrons to the bathrooms to check their sex in order to see if they violated the state’s gender-appropriate clothing status. As a way of fighting for their rights in protest, on the one year anniversary of the Stonewall Raid in 1969, the first Pride March was held in NYC where three to five thousand marchers started their march for equality.
Today, the march has blossomed beyond its roots in NYC, and many gather in various pride marches around the world. from San Francisco to Italy, the UK, and Israel, just to name a few. Additionally, twenty nine countries around the world have granted marriage equality to same sex couples, including Argentina, Uruguay, Austria, and Ecuador. Though rights towards same-sex couples are not equal among the countries, as places like Bulgaria and Greece do not allow same sex couples to adopt children.
In spite of that, so long as the rainbow flags fly high, the fight for equality will live on. To learn more about the people who’re fighting for equality, visit organizations like Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and Outright Action International to see how you can get involved. Or, visit NYC pride to see the place where it all started.
