It’s Pride Month and we couldn’t be more excited for the powerful moments, inspirational events and community initiatives in support of our LGBTQ+ community. Unfortunately, Pride wasn’t born from a need to celebrate being gay, but as a right to exist without persecution. This year, we felt it was important to share some facts about Pride because everyone should know that we are all human and that we are all valid.
Check it out:
DID YOU KNOW: THE MARCH TO COMMEMORATE THE STONEWALL RIOTS INSPIRED THE PRIDE PARADES WE KNOW TODAY?
One year after the Stonewall Inn Riots, thousands of LGBT New Yorkers gathers for the Christopher Street Liberation Day March, chanting “Say it clear, say it loud! Gay is good, gay is proud!” The wild success of this event inspired cities all over the world to start their own marches. These marches didn’t include floats or music like they do today, people even turned their backs to convey their disdain, but the participants continued to shout with their signs and banners and fight for LGBT rights.
DID YOU KNOW: PRIDE HAS A MOMMA AND HER NAME IS BRENDA?
Brenda Howard was a bisexual woman and lifelong activist known as the “Mother of Pride” for her work in organizing the Christopher Street Liberation Day March and for helping to lay the foundation for weeklong celebrations of Pride leading up to today’s parades. She even cofounded the New York Bisexual Network in 1988. A woman whose drive, efforts and hard work are still an absolute inspiration to all.
DID YOU KNOW: THE MEANING BEHIND THE RAINBOW FLAG?
The original rainbow flag was designed by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker in 1979. The original flag had eight colours, all representing a different concept – red (life), orange (healing), yellow (sun), green (nature), indigo (harmony), violet (spirit), turquoise (the arts), and hot pink (sex). However, the turquoise and hot pink were omitted to cut production costs later that year as demand for the rainbow flag grew.
DID YOU KNOW: THE PRIDE FLAG HELD A GUINNESS WORLD RECORD?
For the 25th anniversary of the Gay Rights movement in 1994, the creator of the flag, Gilbert Baker, was commissioned to create a massive flag – this flag was over a mile long and was the largest in the world for almost 10 years!
DID YOU KNOW: PRIDE WASN’T ALWAYS CALLED PRIDE?
What we know today as Pride Parades were often referred to as marches commonly called “Gay Liberation” or “Gay Freedom”. In the 80s and 90s, as the militant structure of these events started to fade, “pride” language began to be used more commonly.
DID YOU KNOW: THE NYPD APOLOGIZED THIS YEAR FOR THE 1969 STONEWALL RAID?
James O’Neill, the NYPD Commissioner apologized for the 1969 Stonewall Inn police raid during the inaugural Pride Month safety briefing. Police officers that night slammed patrons against walls, insulted them and violently attacked them with billy clubs – leading to protests which we now know as the pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history.
James said “The action and laws were discriminatory, and oppressive, and for that I apologize.” The apology was long overdue and has sparked various responses but many members of the LGBTQ+ community thanked James for his apology.
How are you celebrating diversity this year?
Happy Pride Month, friends. We love you!
“All people deserve to live with dignity and respect, free from fear and violence, and protected against discrimination, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. During Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, we celebrate the proud legacy LGBT individuals have woven into the fabric of our Nation, we honor those who have fought to perfect our Union, and we continue our work to build a society where every child grows up knowing that their country supports them, is proud of them, and has a place for them exactly as they are.” – Barrack Obama