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Our story takes place in New York City
during the summer of '69.
At the time, people in the LGBTQIA+ community faced all
kinds of overt and unfair discrimination within the legal
system in the US.
They couldn't legally marry their partner
or adopt children.
They weren't allowed to serve in the military.
They were barred from working for the federal government
and routinely dealt with harassment and persecution.
It was bad, really bad.
Some cities enacted even stricter laws,
designed specifically to make it harder for LGBTQIA+ people
to build community.
The Big Apple was no different.
In 1969, it was illegal in New York City to serve an LGBTQ+
person an adult drink or to dress as a member
of the opposite sex.
The rules were ridiculous and brazenly oppressive.
Even so, there were still a few places
where people could meet in private,
without prying eyes trying to separate them.
One of those places was called "The Stonewall Inn."
It became well known as a gathering place
for the community and, as a result,
got regular visits from the police.
They would show up unannounced, arresting anyone they could.
For the patrons of The Stonewall Inn,
it became a danger they were forced to brave in order
to be themselves.
And eventually, something had to give.
That day was June 28, 1969.
It started like any other night at The Stonewall Inn.
People talked, laughed, danced, and hung out into the night.
Like many times before, the mood suddenly
changed as police officers flooded in around 1:00 AM.
They started wrangling as many people
as they could, mostly employees, drag queens,
and cross-dressing patrons.
They were put in handcuffs and hauled off to the station.
But this time, something changed.
Instead of fleeing, most of the people from The Stonewall Inn
gathered outside.
Before long, the commotion caused other residents
from nearby to join, too.
Now, a group of around 600 people were holding
a spontaneous protest against the police, the unjust laws,
and the way police and lawmakers were both mistreating
the LGBTQIA+ community in the city.
Things got intense and the unrest
lasted for six full nights.
The news sent a shockwave across the city and ultimately
the whole country.
The tragic events of Stonewall became something of a rallying
cry for people to finally start to stand up and protect
the rights of LGBTQ+ people in the US.
The incident became known as "The Stonewall Uprising"
in the newspapers, and its impact was quickly
felt across the United States.
A year later, thousands marched to commemorate
the Stonewall riot, which many consider to be
the very first Pride parade.
Inspired by New York's example, activists
in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, and Chicago
organized gay pride celebrations for that same year.
For the first time, LGBTQ+ Americans across the country
started to really see themselves as a community that could work
together to fight for their basic rights.
Older gay rights organizations gave way
to newer, more effective groups, like the GLF and the GAA.
Today, tons of cities and towns all over the nation
celebrate Pride Month in June and many of them
have large parades or festivals to help spread the love.
And it's not just the US.
Lots of other cities and countries around the globe
celebrate Pride Month.
But wherever you are in the world this June,
it's important to remember, no matter how far we've come since
Stonewall, there's still tons of places around the world where
LGBTQ+ people are routinely oppressed,
which means it's just as important as ever to show
your pride and support.
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