June is Pride month – a month dedicated to celebrating LGBT+ communities around the world.
For many Pride is so much more than an annual festival and rainbow-filled parties. In fact, it marks the end of the Stonewall riots, a landmark event in history which helped to fight homophobia and campaign for equal rights in 1969.
What are the Stonewall riots?
An uprising took place at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. The bar, which was in the gay area of New York, was raided by the police in the early hours and three nights of unrest followed. LGBT people, who were long frustrated by police brutality, finally started fighting back. Lesbians and trans women of colour were some of the key people involved in the resistance, including Stormé DeLarverie, Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson.
News of the Stonewall riots spread and inspired others around the world to join protests and activist groups to fight for freedom and equality.
The first Pride festival officially took place in the UK after the Stonewall riots in 1972. It’s come a long way since the 2,000 people that attended the first event, and now the legacy of pride is one of bold, beautiful, unapologetic, self-celebration.
Many of our LGBTQIA+ community members, of the older generation, will remember the Stonewall riots and lived the history that Pride represents.
We asked our members, what does Pride mean to you?
Here’s what they said…
“The chance to show myself with true confidence and to support others in doing the same” – Katie
“Equality, togetherness, love and being able to be yourself with likeminded people” – Stephen
“It’s about love, joy and celebration, and being out together” – Judith
