By Rosie Lewis
We usually celebrate Pride Month in June with lots of joy, excitement and of course, several parades in most of the cities of the nations. However, Pride Month 2020 will not have the latter. We have spent the last couple of months quarantined at home due to COVID 19. We’ve experienced the highest unemployment rate since the Great Depression, businesses are struggling to stay open. People are losing their lives and key workers are out there working hard so that our country can continue to operate and put an end to this Pandemic. To add to that, the past couple of weeks have seen Black Lives Matter protests following the murder of George Floyd. It’s hard to feel joyful and celebratory amidst all this pain and turmoil.
It’s helpful to remember that we have been here before. Throughout history, humanity has experienced periods of upheaval moments. Such moments have often given birth to progress and change. Pride Month commemorates one such time, where riots and protests have created awareness of problems and encouraged people to create consequential change. So as crowds march and the fires burn we are reminded of the first Pride, the riot which embarked a generation of change.
Early in the morning of June 28th 1969, eight policeofficers from the New York City’s Public Morals Division raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Greenwich Village. These raids were not unusual. Back then, the Public Morals Division enforced laws for things such as gambling, prostitution, narcotics and homosexuality. On this particular morning, however, they fought back. It all started when Marsha P. Johnson, a drag queen and gay rights activist, shouted “I got my civil rights” and then proceeded to throw a shot glass at a mirror. More people joined the fight, including people from the neighbouring bars. Hundreds of people resisted arrest and fought against the police. The riotersbroke windows, set cars on fire and injured three police officers.
New York City’s Tactical Patrol Force tried to intervenebut they were forced out of the neighbourhood by the rioters. Things calmed down for a few hours but word got around about the riot. The following evening thousands of people showed up to protest. The protest lasted for six days.
The coronavirus outbreak may have put a stop to Pride celebrations but there are still plenty of ways you can get involved and show your support. You could watch films with LGBTQ+ storylines. Some examples include Moonlight, Pride (which is set in Wales), The Miseducation of Cameron Post, Elisa and Marcela, But I’m a Cheerleader. You can listen to LGBTQ+ music artists such as Girl In Red, Janelle Monae, Dodie, WILLOW, Troye Sivan and Ben Platt. You could also read books about LGBTQ+ characters or by LGBTO+ authors. Some great ones include We Are Okay by Nina LaCour, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz, Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst and If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo. Another book you could read is The House You Pass on the Way by Jacqueline Woodson. This is not only a book about an LGBTQ+ main character, but it’s also about a black main character written by a black LGBTQ+ author. With all that has been going on, it’s very important to support black authors, musicians, creators, etc. It is important that their voices are heard.
“As the coronavirus pandemic risks increasing existing inequalities, it’s never been more important that we all show up for each other and stand together in the name of equality.”
LGBTQ+ Support Resources:
Switchboard LGBT+
0300 330 0630 (10-10 daily)
LGBT Cymru
The Mix
0808 808 4994
Stonewall – The Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Charity
Erthygl 55 