The History of Pride Month

Pride month is typically celebrated in June (and sometimes in October too) in rural and urban areas all across America and the world. It is a time to reaffirm our commitment to fight for equality and justice for all Americans.

As we celebrate Pride Month, we wanted to take a look back at the history behind celebrating Pride.

June 28th, 1969 marks the beginning of the Stonewall Uprising - a 6 day period of demonstrations and clashes between LGBTQ+ people and police in New York City. At the time “homosexual acts” were a crime in every state in America except for Illinois (History.com).

The Stonewall Inn, now recognized as a National Historic Landmark, was one of the most popular gay bars in New York City. On June 28th in the early morning hours, police officers raided the establishment and locked the employees and patrons inside to interrogate them. The employees were some of the most visible “law-breakers” and therefore among the most vulnerable to be arrested.

It was not uncommon for gay bars to be raided during this time in American history, but what was uncommon was the growing crowd gathering to protest outside. Over the next 6 days several thousand LGBTQ+ people and community members demonstrated outside the Stonewall Inn and were met with tear gas and ongoing violence.

What happened at the Stonewall Inn was not the beginning of the fight for equality and justice for LGBTQ+ people, but it does mark a turning point.

On June 28, 1970 - the one year anniversary of the police raid on the Stonewall Inn - LGBTQ+ activists organized the Christopher Street Liberation March to kick off the city’s first Pride Week (History.com).

Thousands of people took part in the 15 block march that has inspired people across our globe to celebrate Pride.

Photo: Fred W. McDarrah/Getty Images