Pride Is A Protest
Start writing a post
Politics

Pride Is A Protest

LGBT History in America

30
Pride Is A Protest

Have you ever taken a moment to ask yourself what you wish you could have learned as a kid growing up? Probably not, because if you are anything like me, you spent most of your time in school (public or private), wishing to be anywhere else. To be free from the confines of a classroom wall, the school hallways, and the social torture of trying to just get through torturous times like middle and/or high school. We spend time in school wishing time would speed up, and as a result, may not really think about the groundwork being laid down for the rest of our lives while in class. Admittedly, I wish I had done better or at the very least, cared more, about education growing up. I say this as someone who works in college admissions, who has an advanced degree, and graduated high school with approximately a C average.

For me, reflecting on high school does nothing but remind me of times I would rather forget. It is not all that similar from how I feel about things that have changed in the past year (i.e. everything) under this new administration. The overly privileged, cisgender straight men leading our country cause us almost a new headache every day, a new possible nightmare. They aim to suppress the voices of millions, the rights of millions, and fail to protect us all, whether some like to admit it. Staring into a mirror, I see exactly the person I just described-white, privileged, and cisgender. But what you cannot see on the surface, or at least in my opinion, is my equality in this society stripped away from me. Identifying as gay, for me, has been a roller coast of emotions, but a good one for the past two years or so of my life. Enter in Donald Trump and his administration made up of money, privilege, and men who are supposed to represent an entire country founded my immigrants. They fail to represent the men and women of color, the LGBT community, those of differing religions, those who everything categorically defined as different. You know what does not fail to represent me, as a mid-20 something in the LGBT community? Pride. The history that I knew nothing about until I took power in my own hands and a Google search to learn more about an entire community of people that came before me.

Pride, at its very core, began as a protest. As far as a single event goes, it did not invent the idea of resisting or protesting for equal rights, but it is arguably one of the largest events in a movement for gay liberation in the United States of America. It was a direct result of riots at the Stonewall Inn, commonly debated as being sparked by drag queens and transgender women of color, but depicted by movie trailers as having been started by a white boy from Kansas. Historically, we should credit the Stonewall Riots as having been started by a crowd of people, and a spark in what became a series of protests. I do not recall a single history lesson in school that taught me about the Stonewall Riots, or Sylvia Rivera and/or Marsha Johnson, trans women of color who founded Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries. I did not know for a long time that HIV/AIDS was considered a gay disease, and that heterosexual men/women often blamed us for a disease that has stolen the souls of many brothers/sisters within the community, both the LGBT community and those identifying as straight. A loss of any life to HIV/AIDS, is a loss too many. You know what taught me that these events existed? That there were specific men/women important to the fights, the battles, the wars that LGBT generations before me fought? The arts. Film and television, and other forms of media, taught me these things even existed, igniting in me a spark to know more. To understand more.

I don’t know everything there is to know about the Stonewall Riots, about HIV/AIDS and its history in America (other than the chapter of Prep is currently being written in its history). But what is abundantly clear to me, without fail, is that pride began as a protest, and that it must continue as a protest. Same sex marriage was only legalized in 2015, and President Barack Obama was the first President ever to come out in favor of same-sex marriage. We seemingly have regressed since then, as Vice President Mike Pence is one of the largest anti-LGBT names out there today. For those who do not believe me, you can read this entire article here. Clearly, Pence is not an ally of the LGBT community. Various members of the GOP are anti LGBT as well, and would love nothing more to strip the LGBT community of the rights they have only had for less than two years. Familiarize yourself with the viewpoints of not just Pence, but people like Jeff Sessions and Betsy DeVos, both with strongly anti-LGBT platforms (and DeVos is the Secretary of Education, so we are all screwed with that woman). As we all lace up heels, dresses, wigs, purses, and perhaps even romphims for upcoming pride festivities this upcoming month of June, take a moment to remember those who fought at Stonewall, who ignited various other riots and protests for equality as we march in parades, dance on dance floors, and spend time with the ones we love. Pride began as a protest, and today, it continues on as one.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

55658
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

35875
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957880
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

186471
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments