Stonewall to BLM
- annieeason
- Jul 3, 2020
- 2 min read
One "trend" that relates to the subject matter of this blog is not so much a trend as it is a human rights movement. After the murder of George Floyd, Black Lives Matter protests broke out across the United States in a display for an end of police brutality. These protests and public displays of opposition to racism and prejudice carried on all through the month of June and continue into July.
While many Pride month parades were canceled due to COVID-19 limitations, members of the LGBTQ+ community spoke out in support of the BLM protests against police brutality as the LGBTQ community and their acceptance/safety in the United States faces similar violence and prejudices. Riots and protesting were fights that members of the LGBTQ+ community had to resort to for gay rights in the United States.
Stonewall Riots. For any of my readers who might not be familiar with these riots, the Stonewall Riots ensued on June 28, 1969, in New York City after police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club, and roughly hauled employees and club patrons out of the bar. For context, I am listing an article that will provide you with more information on the decades of harassment from police and social discrimination in the United States.
The raid of Stonewall Inn was basically the last straw for the LGBT community in New York City and they took to the streets to protest this type of discrimination that members of their community have been subjected to for decades. The protests lasted six days and became a force for LGBT political activism and led to the birth of many gay rights organizations (GLAAD, Human Rights Campaign, Gay Liberation Front, etc.)
In 2016, President Obama designated the sites of the Stonewall Riots and the surrounding areas a national monument in recognition of the area's contribution to gay rights.
The LBGT+ community has had to fight somewhat similar fights that black Americans and the supporters of the BLM movement face today. So many of my LGBT friends have shared with me how happy they are to be celebrating Pride month by helping other groups fight oppression. This blog was supposed to include my perspective on the "trend" but I don't think I have much right to speak for either of these moments of activism and outcry. I am just happy to stand in solidarity with my friends from both groups/communities. I am proud of everyone who has stood/fought for change and seen that these movements are cries for justice.
Here are some articles on Stonewall and the conversations of BLM and Pride month:
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