It’s Pride Month! The month that is a safe haven for queer people. The month where we can acknowledge and honor the contributions to LGBTQ+ rights. The month where we can celebrate our culture freely and loudly.
With it being pride month, it’s important to know LGBTQ+ history and the people who trailblazed and pioneered so that we could be who we are today without scrutiny and discrimination for our gender identity and sexual orientation.
- Marsha P. Johnson
Marsha P. Johnson was an incredible Black Trans Woman who threw the first brick during the Stonewall Riots.
Okay wait — side track, the Stonewall Uprising was a collection of riots after police invaded the Stonewall Inn (A Gay Bar) after this, the LGBTQ+ community rebelled through riots. These riots lasted days, and were a key part of the liberation of LGBTQ+ rights. We would throw bricks, and whatever we could find in order to send a clear message that we weren’t going anywhere, and we would no longer live in fear or be invisible. Okay, caught up?
She had a lifelong passion for social justice, and was an activist for LGBTQ+ liberation. She was a prominent leader in trans and gay activism and gave many speeches, and led many protests.
The “P” in her name stands for “pay it no mind” symbolizing her carefree spirit.
One of my favorite quotes that really touches me from Marsha is “No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us.”
- Sylvia Riviera
Sylvia Riviera was a Latinx trans woman who served as a transgender advocate and activist.
She worked closely alongside Marsha P. Johnson and together they founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries, or, STAR. This was a group committed to supporting and aiding the homeless and at-risk LGBTQ+ youth.
Riviera was a prominent figure throughout the Stonewall Riots and a pivotal part of the progression of trans and gay rights. One of my most favorite quotes from her was: “Hell hath no fury like a drag queen scorned.”
- Harvey Milk
Harvey Milk was a politician who served in California. However, not just any politician, he was the first openly gay man to have been elected there. His passion began after moving to San Francisco and witnessing the rapid immigration of queer people there.
He became a massive LGBTQ+ rights activist and advocate, and was elected in 1977 as city supervisor. There, he sponsored a state bill prohibiting the discrimination of queer people through many different fronts like employment, housing and unequal treatment in all public facilities. This bill was passed and signed by Mayor Moscone.
Milk was in office for 11 months before his assassination by Dan White, who also assassinated Moscone.
These trailblazers are forever important to the queer community and we will continue to honor their legacy and continue to fight for our rights. Their contributions will never be forgotten. Happy Pride, and never stop being who you are.
