Proud all year round
You’ll no doubt know that it’s Pride month here in London and in many countries worldwide. We’re proud of the diversity in our communities and in our team all year round, but with a particular emphasis on celebrating Pride throughout June.
We’re sharing with you a great overview of Pride written by our very own Giacamo Cisternino who is part of the DTV London team. Here he shares some insights and facts about Pride and its origins.
Over to Giacomo...
Pride is a celebration of LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual/Aromantics/Agender/Allies +) social and self-acceptance and legal rights. The acronym has mutated and evolved over time to be as inclusive as possible and reflect the ever-changing nature of sexuality/sexual orientation.
The origin of Pride dates back to the 1960s in the US, but many don’t know that the Henry Gerber House, was the first gay rights organisation to focus on promoting acceptance of LGBT+ people (rather than on correction) and was established in 1924.
Before the 60s, LGBT people were not welcomed in society and found refuge, support, and a place to be free in bars and clubs. At that time, serving liquor to known or suspected LGBT individuals was illegal, and bars were constantly raided by the police to forcibly disperse crowds. This happened until 1966, when regulations were overturned thanks to the effort of activist groups.
In 1969, although the law had changed in the US, police harassment towards LGBT people was far from gone and, in the early morning of June 28th, the police raided Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York. This time, angry patrons did not disperse, and instead gathered outside the Stonewall and, after an officer hit a lesbian woman, the crowd started throwing pennies, bottles, and other objects at the police. Within minutes the crowd became bigger and bigger, until thousands of people were rioting in the artistic heaven of NYC. This is known as the Stonewall riots or Stonewall uprising. The Stonewall Riots served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.
One year after the Stonewall uprising thousands of people marched in the streets of Manhattan chanting “Say it loud, gay is proud”. This was the first-ever gay pride parade and it inspired countries around the world to start celebrating Pride in June and commit to improving gay rights and keep Stonewall’s legacy alive.
Pride is celebrated in the world with colourful parades, festivals, and educational events. Last year the pandemic ruined all the plans but here you can see how cities in the world still celebrated pride in different ways.
This year for Pride month, DTV is supporting UK Black Pride, Europe’s largest celebration for LGBTQI+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American and Middle Eastern-descent. Donations go towards annual Black Pride celebrations, community outreach and hardship funds for LGBTQI+ people of colour in the UK. If you would also like to support them, please click here
The progress flag redesigned by D. Quasar in 2018
FAQS
Are you or anyone you know still wondering why there isn’t a straight pride? Here is the answer and what you should tell them if they ask.
There are so many colours and flags, what do they mean? The most inclusive flag is the progress flag but there are many all here and the original meaning of the colours here
Is LGBT enough to group people who do not identify as heterosexual? In the 90s yes, but not now! Read more here
How can I support Pride and LGBTQIA+ in my life? Find a few tips on some very simple things you can do every day to show your support here
Bio
Giacomo, works in our Campaigns Team in DTV London. He joined us during the pandemic 2020, so has yet to meet everyone at DTV in person yet! You can find him in a volleyball court after work and he thinks that “Everyone should do their best to encourage conversations, that’s how change starts”.