Since this year’s Pride Parade has been cancelled due to Covid19, I wanted to share photos I took from last year’s World Pride, which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in NYC.
I’ve attended and marched in many Pride parades. Some may ask, “Why would a straight woman feel compelled to go?” Simple. Because I have LGBTQ friends and family. And real friends and family support and love one another - for exactly who they are.
The photos I took are right around the corner from The Stonewall Inn, which is located on Christopher Street. The parade route goes by this bar every year and it is why you’ll hear of Pride parades around the world called Christopher Street Parades.
PRIDE (definition): the consciousness of one’s own dignity
In 1969 it was illegal to be gay. To give context, my parents were married 4 years earlier in 1965 in the middle of the Civil Rights Movement. It wasn’t until June 26, 2015 that The U.S. Supreme Court made same-sex marriages legal in all 50 states in Obergefell v. Hodges.
Being out openly to the world in 1969 meant you could lose your family, your job, your community, your dignity, and possibly even your own life. (Sadly, this still happens today.) But in June 1969, a three day standoff occurred between police and the gay community. Brave people like Marsha P. Johnson (a gay, black, activist) and other members from the gay community banded together. On this day they said, “Enough is enough.” They weren’t fighting with the police because they wanted to, they were fighting for their own dignity and humanity. This became a galvanizing moment in the history of the gay rights movement - not only would it help to transform NYC, but the entire world.
So, even though the Pride Parade isn’t happening this year, I still wanted to spend this moment celebrating the LGBTQ community. I love you. I’m so sorry we haven’t reached equality – yet, but we’re gonna keep fighting for it until we do. Thank you for sharing with me your stories and teaching me about love and self-love.
Love is worth fighting for.
You are worth fighting for.
Love is Love is Love is Love.
Happy Pride!
With Love, Us
PS. I’ve included a few of the photos below, and will share more of them on both my Facebook & Instagram pages. Join me there.
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