Volonterka PRONI Centra Amandine Musiol pripremila je tekst o povijesti mjeseca ponosa, šireći poruku da je biti različit u društvu u redu. Prenosimo njezin tekst u originalu, na engleskom jeziku:
Everything began with one protest for LGBTQ+ rights: the Stonewall Uprising of 1969.
The Stonewall Inn was one of the most popular gay bars in New York City. It had only recently become legal to serve alcohol to gay patrons (since 1966), but in 1969, being openly gay was still considered a criminal offense in most of the United States. This led many LGBTQ+ establishments to operate without liquor licenses, creating an opening for frequent police raids and harassment.
Police raids were common at the time, all across the country. But in the early hours of June 28, 1969, during yet another raid on the Stonewall Inn, something changed. While many people were arrested—including so-called “cross-dressers,” who were often the most visible and vulnerable—this time, the community pushed back.
Word spread quickly throughout the city. By that evening, thousands of protesters had gathered outside the Stonewall and in the surrounding streets. The protests continued for days, with another intense clash breaking out the following Wednesday.
A Complicated History
As Stonewall has become mythologized in LGBTQ+ history, some important details have been obscured. Those labeled as “cross-dressers” were often targeted because of laws that criminalized gender non-conformity—for example, a rule that prohibited individuals from wearing more than three items of clothing that did not match their assigned gender at birth.
Unfortunately, over time, many groups who played central roles in the uprising—lesbians, drag queens, transgender and gender non-conforming people, and queer youth—have often been left out of the mainstream narratives.
One of the most iconic figures of the Stonewall riots was Marsha P. Johnson, a Black transgender activist and one of the leaders in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
“Many new activists consider the Stonewall Uprising the birth of the gay liberation movement. Certainly, it was the birth of gay pride on a massive scale.”
— The Gay Crusaders, by Kay Tobin & Randy Wicker (1972)
Stonewall wasn’t the first act of queer resistance, but it became a powerful symbol. One year later, the first Pride marches were held in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago to commemorate the uprising. Pride was born—not as a party—but as a protest.
The Movement Grows
Throughout the 1970s, LGBTQ+ communities in cities around the world began organizing their own Pride events. These marches were acts of incredible bravery, at a time when being openly gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender could still cost someone their job, their family, or even their safety.
In the 1980s, the HIV/AIDS crisis devastated the LGBTQ+ community, especially gay men, who faced both a public health emergency and a wave of homophobic stigma. Pride events became vital platforms not only for celebration, but also for political demands—calling for healthcare, justice, and respect. Groups like ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) emerged as powerful voices, demanding access to medical research, life-saving drugs, and dignity for those living with HIV/AIDS.
Legal Victories and Mainstream Pride
The early 2000s brought major legal victories for LGBTQ+ rights in many countries. Nations like Canada, Spain, South Africa, and later the United States legalized same-sex marriage. Anti-discrimination laws were passed in parts of Europe, the Americas, and beyond.
Pride celebrations grew larger and more mainstream, often supported by local governments, major corporations, and media outlets. In some cities, millions of people now attend Pride events each year, turning what began as a protest into a powerful cultural and political force.
Pride Today: A Celebration and a Call to Action
To conclude, Pride Month is a celebration of how far we’ve come—and a reminder of the work that still lies ahead. Modern Pride is global, diverse, and deeply intersectional. It celebrates LGBTQ+ joy and identity—but it is also a call to action.
From drag shows in Manila to underground Pride picnics in Moscow, the meaning of Pride differs across the globe. But at its heart, it is always about visibility, dignity, and the right to exist freely.
Recommended Media on Pride History:
- The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (Netflix documentary)
- Stonewall, by Martin Duberman (book)
- Pride (2014 film about LGBTQ+ and labor solidarity in 1980s UK)
