Pride Month is celebrated every June as a time for the LGBTIQA+ community and its allies to come together. It’s a time to honor past achievements, reflect on progress made, and continue the fight for equality and recognition.
But do you know how Pride Month originated and evolved into the global event we know today? In this blog, we’ll delve into the history of Pride, a story of resilience, activism, and an ongoing push for equality.
The Stonewall riots
Let’s start with the pivotal moment that sparked the modern LGBTQIA+ rights movement: the Stonewall riots. On June 28, 1969, the LGBTIQA+ community took a stand against a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village. While police raids on LGBTQIA+ establishments were not uncommon, this particular event ignited a fury that led to several days of protests and riots.
The resulting days of protests and riots marked a turning point. As Sylvia Rivera, a transgender activist and Stonewall participant, powerfully stated, “People started fighting back and saying, ‘No, you’re not going to treat us like this anymore.’” Stonewall galvanized a new sense of unity and determination within the LGBTQIA+ community to fight for their rights.
The first Pride parade
To honor the Stonewall Riots and commemorate its anniversary, the first Pride parade, known as the Christopher Street Liberation Day, took place in New York City on June 28, 1970.
Thousands marched from the Stonewall Inn to Central Park, advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights. Simultaneously, similar marches erupted in Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, signaling the birth of a nationwide movement for equality.
The rainbow flag
The rainbow flag is an internationally recognized symbol of LGBTQIA+ pride and liberation. Designed by artist Gilbert Baker in 1978, the flag was an instant hit with the San Francisco LGBTQIA+ community. Baker, a drag queen and activist, envisioned a symbol that would be both vibrant and inclusive.
Each color in the original flag had a specific meaning, chosen by Baker:
- Pink (omitted in later versions): Sexuality
- Red: Life
- Orange: Healing
- Yellow: Sunlight
- Green: Nature
- Turquoise (omitted in later versions): Art
- Indigo (replaced with blue): Harmony
- Violet: Spirit
This vibrant and inclusive flag represents love, unity, and the beautiful spectrum of LGBTQIA+ identities.
Baker, along with other activists, hand-dyed fabric and constructed the first flag on the rooftop of an LGBTQIA+ community center. The flag’s popularity quickly outgrew their ability to produce them. When a company was contracted for mass production, challenges arose. Fabric shortages forced the removal of pink and turquoise stripes, and indigo was replaced with blue for better availability.
This slightly modified version of Baker’s original flag is the one most recognized worldwide. It has become a powerful symbol of LGBTQIA+ pride, with many variations emerging over time to celebrate the full spectrum of sexualities and gender identities.
As Baker stated, “Our job as gay people was to come out, to be visible, to live in the truth.” The rainbow flag perfectly embodies this mission, serving as a vibrant declaration of self-identity and a call for LGBTQIA+ visibility.
The fight for equality continues
While there has been significant progress in the LGBTQIA+ rights movement, the fight for equality is far from over. Despite over 30 countries legalizing same-sex marriage, many nations still criminalize same-sex relationships and deny basic rights to the LGBTQIA+ community, including housing, employment, and healthcare.
Discrimination and violence against LGBTQIA+ individuals are alarmingly prevalent in many parts of the world. We must continue working towards a world where LGBTQIA+ people can live freely and authentically, enjoying the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.
Dotdigital and Pride
At Dotdigital, Pride is more than just a rainbow logo. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We believe that everyone deserves to be themselves, and we actively work towards creating an environment that encourages authenticity and diversity.
Here’s Dotdigital at London Pride 2023:
Join the movement
Pride Month is a time to celebrate all the amazing progress the LGBTQIA+ community has made. But let’s not forget, that the fight for equality isn’t over yet. Here’s the cool thing: YOU can be a part of making a real difference.
Thinking about how to get involved and be an ally? Here are some ideas:
- Support LGBTQIA+ organizations: Groups like GLAAD, The Human Rights Campaign and The Trevor Project are doing incredible work. Donate or get involved if you can, it makes a big difference.
- Spread the love on social media: Share stories and posts from creators, musicians, and businesses on social media. Give them a platform and boost their visibility.
- Attend local Pride events: Find a local Pride parade, festival, or workshop. It’s a fantastic way to show your support and celebrate.
- See something, say something: When you witness discrimination, speak up. Everyone deserves to be treated fairly, no matter who they love or how they identify.
- Pride email templates: If you’re a Dotdigital customer, you can show your support by using our free Pride email templates. You can find them in the Templates section under Events in the Dotdigital platform. Simply drag and drop the templates into your existing campaigns.
Every action, big or small, adds up. Together, we can create a world where everyone feels included and can live their truth to the fullest. Now that’s something to celebrate.
