I didn’t know that there was any significance in the time of the Gay Pride marches until just now. I didn’t know that the reason we have a parade celebrating the vibrant culture, the strength of convictions and the freedom of openness at this point in the calendar is because the date is important. On the 27th June 1969, police in New York moved to storm a prominent gay bar in Greenwich Village called the Stonewall Inn, on politically motivated grounds. The mayor wanted to display a crackdown on unlicensed bars in the city (of which the Stonewall Inn was one), cut down on crime and halt the ‘unruly’ displays going on at venues such as the Inn. Over the three days of rioting that ensued, sparked by any number of events, many people were injured, arrested and beaten by police while protestors also caused extensive property damage to the area and no doubt serious injury to police officers. The next year there was a march in NYC’s central park to commemorate the events. As a result of the original march, many cities around the world hold Gay Pride marches on the last Sunday in June. On the 27th June 1970, following the previous year’s Stonewall riots in New York City, a handful of people marched down Polk Street in South Central San Francisco. The next year the number was 50,000.
Until today I thought June was the time to march because it was hot, it was sexy and everyone could have some fun. Now I know, the reason to take to the streets in June is not just because it’s funny, not just because people can look raucous and not suffer hypothermia from the bad weather, but because we, as a cultural group, have a history to remember and to cherish. The only reason there is freedom and acceptance is because other social groups have understanding. Stonewall came about because up until that point the police only had tolerance, but tolerance wasn’t enough because tolerance relies on people holding back, on people being restrained. After Stonewall, there came understanding and ultimately, acceptance, which is a real achievement and remains something for all sectors of the community to be proud of.
I hope everyone had a great Pride this year.
Wikipedia: Stonewall riots
28th June: Have a Gay Day!
Popularity: 1% [?]
well, I am glad you have caught up with that one patrick!
perhaps younger gay people need to be made aware of what others did in the name of tolerance and acceptance…
anyway – be proud of what and who you are – we all love you for it.
Ah, yes, I was 17 years old in 1969; and I shudder to think what my subsequent life might have been like, were it not for the bravery and persistence of that Stonewall crowd and the many who were afterwards inspired by them to carry on fighting for human rights in many different arenas and venues.
BTW, that recently uploaded picture of the young bobby on your Flickr account is priceless. I can’t help seeing it as a newspaper photo next to the headline: “Brits Deputize all Boys under 12 in Wake of Michael Jackson Acquital.”
:>
Ha! I love it! Yeah, well we’re running low on Bobbies at the moment so I think it’s time to bring in anyone who’s willing!
I am interested in using a quote from this entry (“Now I know, the reason to take to the streets in June is not just because it’s funny, not just because people can look raucous and not suffer hypothermia from the bad weather, but because we, as a cultural group, have a history to remember and to cherish”) for a project on the Stonewall Riots for school.
Would you be willing to let me use it and also let me know how to credit you?
It’s a project for National History Day (just my school-level competition at this point) and I found your blog through a Google Image search.
Any help is very much appreciated. Thank you.
Please, go ahead and use the quote! I’m honored since I didn’t think the
wording was all that great. I don’t really know how they’d want you to
reference the page but the page will stay at the following address:
http://www.sortroom.net/index.php/archives/2005/06/29/the-27th-28th-june-why-we-fight/
As you can see, it was written on the 29th June ’05. My name is Patrick XXXXXX I don’t put my last name on the website purely because I want to
overly publicise the site!
Yes, that’s about all you’d need from me I’d think.
Good luck with the paper.
-patrick