More Than a Party - Pride is a Protest: Remembering the Roots of the Movement

This article explores the history and significance of Pride, highlighting its evolution from a protest to a global celebration and emphasizing the importance of remembering its origins.

Hello Everyone, and welcome to those who are new.

Many of you know me already. For those who do not (because there are many new people here), my name is Lyric Rivera (they/them).

Image of Lyric on a lavender background with a rainbow flag in the top left. They appear in a white circle with a trans pride flag on the background, with black text surrounding their face that reads - the 1st pride was a riot - Lyric Rivera. The top left reads Happy Pride Month! the bottom right reads Pride is every day.

I'm NeuroDivergent (Autism & ADHD are what I feel comfortable sharing with people), and I'm also Queer (trans-nonbinary/GenderFluid, Pansexual, Polyamorous) -which I make no effort to hide 90% of the time.

Today, I hope to dive deeper than the festivities and rainbow-colored decorations that pop up in June, hoping to illuminate (and shift focus back to) Pride's rich history, ongoing struggles, and importance, emphasizing its role as a powerful symbol of resilience, acceptance and the continued fight for Queer rights (in a time where it feels as if in many ways we are going backward instead of forwards in this area).

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The Origins of Pride

Because Queer history isn't taught in schools, many people today see Pride as a parade or celebratory gathering where Queer People (once forced to hide outside public view) party, dance, and parade in the streets. However, Pride originated from something much heavier.

Pride may have become more of a party in my lifetime, but just over fifty years ago, on June 28, 1969, Pride was very different. 

There was no PRIDE flag in those days. In those days, Queer People were not accepted but were scorned and had no legal protections against discrimination. 

The Stonewall Riots were a series of protests in 1969 (sparked by outrage at the brutal treatment and harassment from local police departments). This event marked a pivotal moment in the Queer rights movement as multiply-marginalized communities fought back against police brutality and discrimination.

Several gold clocks and an hourglass sit on a table.

Looking back in time

Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera played courageous leadership roles during the riots (and after), sparking a wave of activism that has continued to inspire generations. Their bravery and resilience in the face of violence and oppression helped launch a modern Queer rights movement demanding equality, justice, and Pride.

The first Pride was a riot, but over the years, Pride has moved from its roots as an uprising against violent police enforcement of "cross-dressing" laws (that stated people must be wearing a certain number of clothing items aligned with the gender that was assigned on their state-issued ID).

In the 1960s, it was normal to be in the closet, and most people didn't out themselves as Queer (because being Queer was considered a severely "deviant" mental illness). 

Back then, Queer People were frequently punished and criminalized (or sentenced to inhumane medical procedures such as lobotomies, castration, and conversion "therapy") as "treatment" for their Queerness. 

It seems as if some people want to push us back into our closets.

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I hope this helps,
- Lyric