AOP Projects Puts the Spotlight on Pride Month
“It is absolutely imperative that every human being’s freedom and human rights are respected, all over the world.”– Jóhanna Sigurðardótt
As many of you know, June is pride month and as this month comes to an end we believe that it is imperative to recognise and understand the great lengths that the LGBTQ+ community has gone through to get where they are today. We are proud to celebrate the month by sharing a post all about the history of pride and the current LGBTQ+ movements that are happening all around the world.
Homophobia is unfortunately still alive and well today. The proof is in the pudding. Recently, a mural painted by beloved street artist duo Nomad Clan representing pride in Manchester was hideously vandalised with the words ‘dirty bastards’. Thanks to the quick action of local supporters and friends of the community the mural was quickly restored back to its original form. This is just one example of the opposition the community faces daily.
Nomad Clan’s mural in Manchester which was recently vandalised with homophobic slurs
What is pride month?
June is dedicated to celebrating pride and the LGBTQ+ communities all around the world. Pride is normally celebrated with many parades, partys, paints, marches and protests which bring together the community and show how far gay rights have come. Pride month is about educating everyone around the world and breaking the prejudice toward people in the community and continuing to move forward in the fight for equality. It is all about being proud of who you are, who you love and who you are becoming.
History of Pride
Pride month started in the United States to commemorate the Stonewall Riots which occurred at the end of June in 1969. A few weeks after the Stonewall Riots took place, the LGBTQ+ community of NYC gathered for a gay power rally in Washington Square Park. The first gay pride rally in the UK was held in London on the 1st of July in 1972 as this was the closest Saturday to the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. The riots sparked a shift and increased LGBTQ activism. Now, many pride events are held in June to recognise the impact that LGBTQ+ people have had on the world. In 2015 the city of New York declared the Stonewall Inn as a historic landmark and in 2016 President Barack Obama then named it as a national monument. Even though the Stonewall Riots were not the first time that the LGBTQ+ community stood up against police harassment, it is definitely the best known and has led to the creation of pride and what we know it as today.
Know their names
Marsha P. Johnson
Marsha P. Johnson was an American activist who self identified as a trans woman and drag queen and who quickly became an icon by speaking out against the opposition of gay rights. She was most famously known for her contributions to the Stonewall uprising. Although Marsha did not arrive until the rioting had started, many people credit her for throwing the first brick or shot glass that sparked the riots. Because of this, Johnson and many other transgender women are now being recognised and hailed for their brave contributions to reformation.
Sylvia Rivera
Born in July of 1951 and a native to New York City, Sylvia served as a community worker and as a gay liberation and transgender rights activist and also identified as a drag queen. Alongside Johnson, they fought for transgender rights and co-created S.T.A.R. (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries) to help the homeless LQBTQ+ youth community.
At the time of the riots, identifying as the opposite sex was a crime, so the fact that Johnson and Rivera openly put themselves out there and actively stood up for what they believed in made them icons and role models for many people. Sadly, Johnson passed away in 1992 and Rivera passed in 2002. It was announced in 2019 that a monument commemorating both women was to be built in Greenwich Village, New York. This monument is due to be finished this year and will be the world’s first monument to honour transgender activists.
Marsha P Johnson and Sylvia Rivera in New York City in 1973
Pride today and how you can get involved
It is important to recognise how hard LGBTQ+ people and their allies have fought to get where they are today, as well as how hard they continuously work. Despite great strides forward in equality, LGBTQ oppression is unfortunately still wide spread.
It is so important that the entire community collectively stands together in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ allies to continue fighting for equality. This fight is far from over and by projecting our voices, whether on social media or in person, we can help take strides in the right direction to ensure that the world is a brighter, safer and more welcoming place to our LGBTQ+ family.
One way you can get involved is by actively signing petitions that support the community and the fight for equal rights. Here are some to get you started:
Gender neutral toilets in public spaces
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/586501
Increase in funding for NHS transgender services
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/572455
Make non-binary a legally recognised gender in the UK
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/580220
Blog post written and edited by Chloe Clark