Gay Pride
Gay Pride
Gay pride or LGBT pride refers to the principle that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity. The movement has three primary facets: “that people should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity, that diversity is a gift, and that sexual orientation and gender identity are inherent and cannot be intentional altered.” The term gay pride or LGBT pride originated from the idea that pride will be used as an antonym for shame. Since shame has been used to control and oppress members of the LGBT community, pride is an affirmation of ones self and the community as a whole. The modern gay pride movement began after the Stonewall riots in the late 1960s. LGBT pride has also furthered the cause of gay rights by lobbying politicians, registering votes, and increasing need to educate on issues important to LGBT communities. Symbols of LGBT pride or gay pride include the rainbow flag, butterfly, the Greek lambda symbol, and pink and black triangles. Since the Stonewall Riots occurred in June, since then gay pride or LGBT pride month has always been in June. In towns and cities all across the world members of the LGBT community will gather to celebrate themselves and their culture. The pink and black triangles became a symbol of gay pride because during the holocaust gay men were marked with a prink triangle and lesbians were marked with a black triangle. Due to the meaning of these triangles, they have been adopted as a sign of LGBT pride.
Gay Activist Groups
LGBT pride and gay pride became mainstream issues after the riots, when organizations such as the Gay Liberation Front and the Gay Activists Alliance is credited by many as the first to spark the reb
ellion. These two organizations coordinated the first anniversary rally, and organized a march for gay pride and LGBT pride. After this, gay pride and LGBT pride celebrations have been taken place all over the world. These gay pride marches were initially small grassroots operations, however in the 1980s there was a major shift and they became more organized, less radical, and accommodated more conservative views. However, the LGBT pride movement did not stop and there are marches, rallies, petitions, conventions, meetings, organizations, and support groups all over the world to celebrate gay pride. There are symbols that are recognized world over as an homage to LGBT pride and despite all the opposition, the LGBT community is resilient and continues to fight for their rights and show their pride.