Pride: the worldwide movement working toward an equal future for the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual/ally) community. Although the movement spends every day of the year creating endless opportunities to gather in advocacy, in protest, in activism, and in celebration, the month of June is officially recognized as Pride month.
It was at the end of June 1969, when the Stonewall riots occurred. The iconic demonstrations took place by the many brave members of the LGBTQIA+ community in response to a police raid that began on June 28, 1969 at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village in NYC. Homophobia, anti-gay legal systems, and frequent police raids on gay bars in the 50s and 60s were at an all-time high. While members of the LGBTQIA+ community were, unfortunately, used to being the target of police officers, it wasn’t until June 28th, when the cowardly officers stormed the Stonewall Inn, that the city erupted into several activist groups in support of gays and lesbians being able to express their sexuality without fear of being put behind bars. It was a turning point in American history. A turning point that would be celebrated for years and years to come.
Just one year after the Stonewall riots, the first gay pride parades happened in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The anniversary of the riots was commemorated by Chicago, and in many other cities, similar marches were also organized. It wasn’t until shortly after that gay rights organizations were formed all across the United States. While so many finally felt the love and support they longed for, the presence of homophobia in America never failed to exist.
One would think that the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equality Act of 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to license same-sex marriages, and the first amendment of the Constitution would be enough to convince the inhumane, hating, cold-blooded brutes of the world that ‘it’s okay to be gay,’ but it’s not. And nobody knows the solution to creating a more accepting nation because, as we’ve seen, combatting the overpowering, baseless hate that lies within every facet of America is dangerous, demanding, and time-consuming, yet Pride takes it upon itself to foster that necessary safe space for the thousands of LGBTQIA+ members living in the U.S.
Having been the victims of police brutality for decades, NYC Pride has banned police and law enforcement from participating in the Pride events this year and plan to keep them uninvolved in Pride events until “at least” 2025. NYC Pride urges police and law enforcement to acknowledge the pain and destruction they’ve caused the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities. What the country has seen NYC Pride do in recent weeks is remarkable and a prime example of what so many feel afraid to do: putting your needs first.
This year, Pride occurs amid the activism motivated by the murder of George Floyd and the overwhelming amount of senseless killings of BIPOC individuals in modern-day America, raising questions about the real influence of Pride’s decision to ban NYPD and other forms of law enforcement from its events. Did the movement only make this decision in response to the rise in police brutality? Yes, and as it should. It’s about time that one of the most corrupt institutions, the police, gets policed. The “protection” that law enforcement is supposed to provide to members of the LGBTQIA+ community too often becomes dangerous, violent, and excessively forceful without reason, which is why I have included a list of ‘community-based alternatives’ to contact instead of the police.
Ali Forney Center for LGBTQ Youth Resources
LGBTQIA+ National Hotline
NYC Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project for crisis intervention and support for those affected by HIV
Sylvia’s Place; an emergency night shelter for self-identified Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, trans-gendered, trans-sexual and questioning youth from 16 to 23 years of age
It is my hope that we, as a society, can come together, disregard our homophobic biases, and accept all for who they are. There is so much love and happiness in the world which you will only experience if you allow it to be expressed and received by anyone and everyone. As Jason Collins, the first openly gay athlete in pro sports, said “Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it's a good place to start.”
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