Introduction-
Recently, I have come to know about Pride Month and yearn to go for a thorough research on it. It is high time to talk openly about the apparently socially restricted topic. That's what I feel atleast.
What is Pride Month?-
Globally, the month of June is considered as the Pride Month to commemorate the struggle of LGBTQ community against social discrimination and social obstructions. Many countries infact arrange various activities to celebrate this in the month of June. To be very clear,the LGBTQ community refers to the people who are Lesbian, Gay,Bisexual, Transgender and Queer.
History of Pride Month-
It started with Stonewall riot,alternatively known as Stonewall Uprising. It held in New York on June 28,1969. At that time, there was no welcoming law for LGBT Americans. Even the same-sex relationship was not legally accepted. That is why the gay bars and clubs were the sole refuge for the LGBT people who could express themselves openly. However, the history goes like this.
There was an inn,namely Stonewall inn and it was located at the Greenwich village in the New York. This bar was a haven for homeless gay youths and it served warm welcome to the people who had to face bitter reception from the society. The upheaval started with the three consecutive police raids on that bar. When the police raided the bar at night in 1969 and arrested the employees of the bar for selling liquor without licence and roughed up the people who violated the state's gender-appropriate clothing statute ,the LGBT people roared with courage to fight back. They did not retreat this time after being continuously harassed by the police officials. Most importantly, this outburst was volcanic. It was the spontaneous outcome of oppression, torments they had been suffering through ages. The galvanizing outcome of this riot culminated into the climactic point when an officer hit a lesbian and forced her into the police van. The agitated patrons, the residents around the bar gathered out of the inn and started to throw bottles, stones, debris at the police. The rage was brimming high engaging a huge number of people who were always being victimised for their choice, deemed as out of conviction.
This surge of intense resistance shocked the police officers. They barricaded themselves inside the bar and called for law enforcement. The mob outside the bar attempted to break in the barricade repeatedly and ultimately the bar was set on fire. At last, the fire department came and extinguished the fire. But the uproar continued for five more days and the Gay people shouted at the police officers “We shall overcome". No doubt, this unexpected resistance launched a new era for LGBT + people. It unleashed the people to voice their own call of equal rights and justice.
My own thoughts-
I believe it from the core of my heart that a person has every right to love another person irrespective of cast,creed,colour,gender. We must acknowledge the existence of everyone and the choice of everyone with due respect. LGBT people are also human beings and society must consider them. Please share your views in the comment box. Thank you.
