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“History isn't something you look back at and say it was inevitable. It happens because people make decisions that are sometimes very impulsive and of the moment, but those moments are cumulative realities.”
- Marsha P Johnson
The Stonewall Riots, 28th June 1969
On this day NYPD officers raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club located in Greenwich Village in New York City. At the time, homosexual acts remained illegal in every state except Illinois - bars and restaurants could get shut down for having gay employees or serving gay patrons. Most gay bars and clubs in New York at the time (including the Stonewall Inn) were operated by the Mafia, who paid corrupt police officers to look the other way and blackmailed wealthy gay patrons by threatening to “out” them.
Whilst raids were common place, this one sparked a riot among bar patrons and neighbourhood residents as police roughly hauled employees and patrons out of the bar, leading to six days of protests and violent clashes with law enforcement outside the bar on Christopher Street, in neighbouring streets and in nearby Christopher Park. The Stonewall Riots served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement around the world.
Enjoy our special Pride March playlist on Spotify
They walked so we can run - join your brothers, sisters and those in-between and march with pride this year!
Ireland's First Pride
Following the New York Stonewall Riots and the annual commemorative Pride Parades in the USA from 1970 onwards, the first public Gay rights demo took place in Dublin on 27 June 1974. The first Gay Pride Week events were held in June 1979, organised by the National Gay and Lesbian Federation. However it wasn't until 1983 that the first Pride march took place in Dublin - travelling from the city centre to Fairview Park. In particular, the march was a reaction to the controversial judgement in the Flynn case, when suspended sentences on charges of manslaughter were given to members of a gang found guilty of the 1982 killing of Declan Flynn, a 31-year-old gay man, in Fairview Park, and the subsequent celebrations by some members of the local community following their release. 200 brave Irish people chose to make a stand and the rest, as they say, is history...
Trans Rights Are Human Rights!
More than ever, our trans brother and sisters need our help - they are being attacked from the right wing and its evil propaganda is seeping into the mainstream. Legislation around the world has taken a huge step back with anti-trans bills being proposed at an alarming rate - your body is none of my business!
Distressing news from Texas recently took the world news by storm that Governor Greg Abbott has ordered state agencies to investigate reports of transgender minors receiving gender-affirming care as child abuse.
You can read more about his letter to state agencies here:
You may, rightly, feel disgusted by the danger this puts trans members of our community in and wondering what resources may be able to offer advice and support whilst we learn more. We have amazing charities like Mermaids who aim to guide younger members of our community through their journey, future mental and physical health. Being proactive in this way can greatly decrease the risk of self harm or causing harm to others and create well rounded members of society who can happily contribute to the greater good for all!
Charities You Can Support
The Rainbow Project NI
The Rainbow Project is a health organisation that works to improve the physical, mental & emotional health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual people and their families in Northern Ireland.
We are the foremost LGBTQIA+ organisation in Northern Ireland and have two centres: one in Belfast city centre and the other in Foyle, L’Derry.
The Elton John Aids Foundation
Established in 1992, the Elton John Aids Foundation is one of the leading independent AIDS organisations in the world. The Foundation’s mission is simple: to be a powerful force in the end to the AIDS epidemic. They are committed to no more discrimination. No more HIV infections. No more AIDS deaths. No matter who or where you are.
Mermaids
Mermaids supports transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse children and young people until their 20th birthday, as well as their families and professionals involved in their care. We also currently offer web chat support to students up to the age of 25.
Transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse children and teens need support and understanding, as well as the freedom to explore their gender identity. Whatever the outcome, Mermaids is committed to helping families navigate the challenges they may face.
Marsha P. Johnson (August 24, 1945 – July 6, 1992)
Johnson was one of the prominent figures in The Stonewall Inn Riots of 1969, although often credited for starting the riot, She was always forthcoming about not being present when the riots began.
A founding member of the Gay Liberation Front and Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (S.T.A.R.), Marsha is affectionately known as the face of pride around the world, and, a patron saint of hope for everyone under the rainbow 🌈
Did you know?
1. June is the month that commemorates the Stonewall riots of June 1969. On 28th June 1969, the NYC police raided the Stonewall Inn, a well known gay club in Greenwich Village in New York City. This sparked a series of protests and violent clashes in various bars and neighbourhoods in town, which served as a catalyst for gay rights movement across the world.
2. Bisexual rights activist Brenda Howard is considered the “Mother of Pride” as she first coordinated Liberation March on Christopher Street on 28th June 1970, exactly a year after the riot incident. She came up with the idea of a week-long Pride Festival with parades, rallies and dance parties, which has been kept since.
3. Throughout the years, the Pride name has changed from the initial Gay Liberation March to Gay Freedom March and with the cultural shift in the 80’s, these events started to adopt the name Gay Pride, now often just “Pride”.
4. The Rainbow Flag, the international symbol of LGBTQ+ community, was designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978. It used to be comprised of 8 colours, which were later cut down to six - red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet (removing hot pink and integrating turquoise and indigo into royal blue).
5. All 6 colours on the flag have a meaning:
Red = life
Red = life
Orange = healing
Orange = healing
Yellow = sunlight
Yellow = sunlight
Green = nature
Green = nature
Blue = harmony
Blue = harmony
Violet = spirit
Violet = spirit
6. In 2018, the progress flag was introduced as a re-designed of the original rainbow flag in order to be more inclusive of all members of our community - including: trans, marginalised POC's and intersex people. It is generally accepted and expected that our flag continues to evolve to ensure everyone feels represented.
7. In 1994 a mile-long Rainbow Flag was created, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. For a number of years this was the world’s largest flag.
8. The Greek Lambda symbol was commonly used as the symbol of the gay rights before the rainbow flag as it was the sign of Gay Activist Alliance.
9. The LGBT communities in Europe have been celebrating the pan-European Europride since 1992. It is hosted by a different city every year.
10. Aside from Pride, Dyke Marches are also held in various cities around the world. Dedicated to lesbians, they usually take place on the eve of Pride. They were first organised by Lesbian Avengers in New York City in 1993.
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