Thought For The Day – Wednesday 14th June 2023
Visibility
Although there are always a number of catalysts and causes in life, to a certain extent the origins of Pride can be traced to the Stonewall Inn, New York City.
On 28th June 1969, some police raided the Stonewall Inn and threw out, abused, and were verbally and physically violent to, members of the LGBT+ community.
The LGBT+ community deserved far, far better. The LGBT+ deserved equality and respect in the eyes of people, society and the law.
Enough was enough. Society as a whole had to change.
For the LGBT+ community were not always allowed, accepted, respected and empowered to be Proud. Precisely the opposite.
Even today, we need to keep standing up for right and standing against wrong. Equality, diversity and inclusion with every thing we do and every thing we say.
In the United States of America, immediately after “Stonewall”, peaceful, resilient and courageous protests were held. The journey to a better, more equal, fair and just, present and future had begun.
A key leader was Marsha P. Johnson. Marsha, 23 years old, and at the Stonewall Inn that evening in 1969, was an African American transgender rights activist, whose work had, and would have, a massive impact on the LGBT+ community.
“Stonewall” and its reaction led to peaceful protests around the world, including in the United Kingdom too.
A regular speaker at TBSHS for many years, Peter Tatchell, co-organised, with other members of the Gay Liberation Front, the courageous, resilient and joyful first Pride March in London 51 years ago. “That first Pride was about visibility…just to be out, proud and open was revolutionary”, said Peter Tatchell last year on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Pride in the United Kingdom.
