June Monthly Essay
Pride month did not happen overnight, the origins and evolution of the celebration started with a riot. In April 1965, homophile activists (as they were once known), including Lilli Vincenz (as the only lesbian to participate) and Frank Kameny, picketed at the White House and then at the United Nations after learning that Cuba was placing homosexuals in forced labor camps. They were the pioneer protesters whose demonstration at Independence Hall launched the LGBT civil rights movement. On July 4—from 1965 to 1969—Vincenz joined Frank Kameny, Barbara Gittings, the Rev. Robert Wood and other activists from New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., In the first demonstrations specifically to demand equality for gays and lesbians. These demonstrations which were held in front of the Independence Hall were known as Annual Reminders. The demonstrations launched the LGBT civil rights movement and paved the way for the Stonewall riot in 1969.
In June, 1969, the New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn. At that time (even up until now if we look closely), homosexuality was still criminalized. People were mandated by the strict “masquerade laws” to wear clothing corresponding to their gender assigned at birth. Gay hate crimes went rampant and raids on its association establishments were common. The uprising arose with people tired of the systemic police harassment. The Stonewall Inn was one of the relatively few gay bars in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Lower Manhattan in New York City. The bar’s patrons, alongside local Greenwich Village residents, began to fight back. The movement turned into a six-day standoff involving hundreds of people protesting police brutality and fighting for the right to live openly.
One year later, precisely on June 28, 1970, activists in New York City organized the first official Gay Pride march in the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. People marched 51 blocks through the city to Central Park. That movement inspired cities across the United States, such as Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, and also the world, to begin holding their own marches on the anniversary. Over time, the movement that started from a riot shifted into a full month of celebration and activities. In 1999, President Bill Clinton became the first U.S. President to officially declare June as “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.” Later in 2011, President Barack Obama expanded it to recognize the entire LGBT community. Since 1970, millions LBTQ+ communities have continued to gather together in June to march with Pride and demonstrate for equal rights.
Lilli Vincenz was one of the people who marched on the streets of New York to voice out their frustration in 1969. Not only that, she was also one of the pioneers and helped arrange the whole movement in the first place. Vincenz was a German-born American lesbian activist and the first lesbian member of the gay political activist effort, the Mattachine Society of Washington (MSW). As members of the MSW, Lilli Vincenz and Frank Kameny participated in the discussion, planning, and promotion of the first Pride along with activists in New York City and other homophile groups belonging to ERCHO (Eastern Regional Conference of Homophile Organizations).
In 1969 Vincenz, along with Nancy Tucker, created the independent LGBTQ newspaper the Gay Blade, which later became the Washington Blade. The Blade is the oldest LGBTQ newspaper in the United States and considered “one of the most influential publications written for a gay audience.” by The New York Times. The newspaper was originally published as a single page and distributed hand-to-hand in a variety of gay bars throughout the city. At the time, discretion was crucial and because many of the initial authors were afraid of backlash over the publication, they used pen names during the early years of publishing.
From 1971 to 1979, Vincenz created a safe venue for gay women at her own home in Arlington County, Virginia. The women gathered to discuss gay activism and other lesbian-related issues, which then made Vincenz’s home become known as the Gay Women’s Open House (GWOH). These meetings allowed lesbians, bisexuals, and women questioning their sexuality to meet in comfort and safety. The meetings became the Gay Women’s Alternative.
“‘Cause shade never made anybody less gay.”
You Need to Calm Down by Taylor Swift
The battle to fight for LGBTQ+’s rights today is still far from over. Sadly, most people could not comprehend this community, and chose not to acknowledge them entirely. Naturally, human beings are afraid of things they don’t understand, but they can always learn. Even so, most of the time their fear overruled their senses and dangerously turned into something more evil. The hate-crime against the LGBTQ+ community was so big because they saw them as “unnatural”, or even worse, a freak of nature. One of their biggest concerns was what the trans community was “capable” of. Mothers feared the safety of their children in public lavatories where the trans community could have access to. The hurtful stereotype sparked heated arguments and damaged the whole community’s reputation. Moreover, fundamentalists across the United States cursed the very existence of the LGBTQ+ community, further proving their dubious integrity whereas child marriage was still very much alive amongst their own communities. They reproach one’s sexuality yet encourage polygamous marriage? Even worse, some of them also legalized child brides. How is that better than simply being true to oneself, living and loving each other freely?
Unable to accept another person’s belief and ideology is one thing. But, going to extreme extent in order to evoke horror for the whole community? That's another thing entirely. Apparently, the existence of the queer community is more horrifying than bringing justice for the victims of the largest scale of sex crimes the world has ever seen thus far (yes, I’m talking about the Epstein files). Although the fight is still far from over, the LGBTQ+ allies are also growing. The most notable celebrities who actively rally for LGBTQ+ rights and participate in equality movements include stars like Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Elliot Page, Miley Cyrus, and Janelle Monáe. These mega superstars use their platforms to champion equal rights, fight against discriminatory legislation, and support queer youth.
One of Taylor Swift’s most famous songs and music video You Need to Calm Down basically tells off the haters that they simply need to calm the eff down. In the music video, Taylor included not just one or two, but many icons from the LGBTQ+ community. In her Netflix’s documentary, Taylor decided to speak up on her political ground for the first time in her career.
“One of the things that, like, outraged me so much is that she (Marsha Blackburn) voted against the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which tries to protect women from stalking, from date rape, from domestic violence. And then, obviously, it’s a no for gay marriage, it’s a no for them to have any rights whatsoever. She (Blackburn) thinks that if you’re a gay couple or even if you look like a gay couple, you should be allowed to be kicked out of a restaurant. It’s really basic human rights. I think that it is so frilly and spineless of me to stand on stage and go “Happy Pride Month, you guys,” and then not say this. When someone’s literally coming for their necks”
Fear of the outcome from this decision, it was seen from the documentary that her team was very hesitant and wary. Taylor’s father in particular, was afraid of her daughter’s safety, mentioning that he was the one who had to purchase armored vehicles for his daughter. After the hurdle of doubts and hesitations, Taylor posted and broke silence on her political standing online. The Instagram post made Donald Trump like her music about 25% less and more than fifty thousands new registrations in the last day of election.
Not only Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga is one of the most visible pop-culture advocates, she actively lobbies against anti-LGBTQ legislation and regularly performs at Pride events. Elliot Page is a trans actor and activist who uses his platform to raise awareness for trans rights and increase authentic representation in the media. Miley Cyrus is a vocal advocate who founded the Happy Hippie Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to fighting homelessness among LGBTQ youth. Janelle Monáe is a pansexual artist who consistently uses their music, interviews, and public appearances to campaign for queer visibility. Beyoncé is a powerful ally who dedicates her music—such as the Renaissance album—to the queer community and has prominently used her platform to support same-sex marriage and hire queer and trans models. Dan Levy, The Schitt’s Creek creator and actor has been an outspoken advocate for inclusive education and LGBTQ+ representation.
There are hundreds if not more entertainers and activists who publicly supported the LGBTQ+ rights. The queer community is not demanding to possess certain privileges or treatment, they merely tried to live life peacefully, like the rest of us. If accepting the community is still incomprehensible for you, maybe showing no repulsion or contempt towards them is the best next course of action. There is so much hate as there is already in this world, let’s not put hating another human being for simply being themselves to the list, shall we?