As we come to the end of October, we also come to the end of LGBT History Month. However, we must continue to recognize the achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community even after the celebrations close. From the ground-breaking riots of Stonewall to the most recent accomplishment of Rachel Levine as the first four-star officer of the United States, we as a community have flourished. We intend to continue doing so.

To inspire LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies alike, I have put together a list of striking, heartwarming, and heartbreaking historical events of the community here: 

During the 1960s, tensions between the US mainstream culture and the gay community were suffocating. It was illegal to be gay, transgender, lesbian, and bisexual. Even catering to LGBTQIA+ patrons in private business could get someone arrested. This is what happened the night of June 29, 1969, when police raided Stonewall Inn, an NYC bar that doubled as a safe haven for the LGBT community. The bar patrons did not take the assault lying down.

The night before the well-known riots, Stonewall Inn employees were arrested; alcohol was confiscated on charges of improper liquid licensure. Cross-dressers, Drag Queens, and transgender individuals were also arrested, as “pretending” to be of the other gender was illegal at the time.

These oppressive acts instigated violence, rioting, and police brutality almost immediately. Beer bottles, stones, pennies, and street smarts were utilized to corner police officers into the very bar they raided. More officers continued to show up as the rioting continued into the early morning hours. Thankfully, no one was reported to have died or been critically injured. 

The events bled over into the following several nights as protesters, activists, allies, and street kids continued to riot outside of Stonewall Inn and newspaper offices. Eventually, the riots died down. The streets of NYC went back to normal...as normal as they could be during the 60s. However, even though the Stonewall Riots ended, the movement did not cease to make progress. 

The Christopher Street Liberation March

In 2021, Pride parades are full of extravagant celebrations, celebrities, and widespread news coverage. However, it was not always such a happy and love-filled event. The first pride parade was not exactly a parade, but a march. Instead of being to celebrate LGBTQ achievements and culture, it was to demand equality and protest injustice. The first pride march took place in New York City, on the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Fliers announcing the March stated: 

An estimated 150,000 people gathered tremendous courage to attend the march, which stretched 15 blocks and went on for 12 whole hours. As these activists marched down the streets of NYC, supporters were encouraged to join as random, adding to the numbers.

The vast demonstration was the first of its kind, not just in the literal sense, but in a spiritual and emotional sense. Many feared facing social ridicule, family abandonment, job loss, imprisonment, rape, attacks, and in some cases, murder. The very idea of being out to close friends and family was daunting enough.

This March was a display of a community of people who were done with being silenced by fear. They were some of the first to offer support, kindness, and community for LGBTQIA+ people. It paved the way for all LGBTQIA+ people to be unapologetic about their identity. It is not enough to say the attendees made history that day; they created the future and liberated the present. 

Obergefelly vs Hodges

Marriage has been recognized as legal in the US since 1913. The first record married of a man and woman took place centuries ago in Mesopotamia. Yet, same-sex marriage was only legalized six years ago in the united states. 

Yes…Six. Years. Ago. 

Specifically, the Supreme Court case Obergefelly VS Hodges of June 26, 2015, officially recognized same-gender marriage as legal. The ruling struck down all laws against same-sex unions, requiring all states to recognize the contracts as legally binding in every way that “traditional” marriage is. 

The ruling came as a result of multiple same-sex couples suing their respective states for blocking their unions. They argued that the bans were unconstitutional as per the Equal Protection Clause and Due Process Clause established in the fourteenth amendment. Each won their case in the trial courts but had the wins stolen away by Sixth Circuit.

Legal jargon aside, it was a big mess of corruption, lies, and human rights violations. Eventually, the cases were brought to the Supreme Court and ruled in favor of the couples. The ruling made it clear that, legally, there were absolutely no differences in same-sex and opposite-sex marriages. 

The allowance was long overdue and displays that inequality between heterosexual-cis-gender citizens and the LGBTQIA+ community are not stories of a distant past. Instead, Obergefelly VS Hodges exemplifies the striking contradictions, stigmatization, transphobia, and homophobia that still exists in our society. Thankfully, we have made great strides, but there is still work to do to ensure an even brighter future for the community. 

Closing Thoughts

It is vital to recognize and bring awareness to these historical events. The conversation surrounding LGBTQIA+ rights, mental health, and equality carries on beyond the bounds of a single month.

By keeping these events and accomplishments front and center, we hope to show those who suffer from the injustice that a new era is upon us. Just like the rioters of Stonewall and the outspoken couples whose love carried them to national success, we will not take oppression lying down. You can join the movement and create an impact by sharing your own story as an activist and spreading love and awareness. 

Rember that no matter the challenges you face as an LGBTQIA+ individual, you are capable of overcoming them. Corner your fears, just like they cornered the policed into the bar they feared. Stomp on injustice, like the courageous protesters of the 1970s. Most importantly, advocate for yourself and the community like the lovers of 2015. 

A quote from Harvey Milk came to mind as I was writing this, so I will let him close us off…

“I know you can't live on hope alone; but without hope, life is not worth living. So you, and you and you: you got to give them hope; you got to give them hope.”

Resources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obergefell_v._Hodges

https://lgbthistorymonth.com/background

https://www.history.com/news/stonewall-riots-timeline

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/27/nyregion/pride-parade-first-new-york-lgbtq.html

https://www.oyez.org/cases/2014/14-556