Gay Pride!

Gay Pride

Gay Pride originated from gay people rising against oppression and actually getting out onto the streets and shouting out to the world that we, as LGBT people exist. LGBT pride or gay pride is the concept that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity. The movement has three main grounds: 

• 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 intentionally altered.

It all started with the Stonewall riots in 1969; the Stonewall Inn being a popular gay venue in New York where there was an uprising alliance of LGBTQ people against the police who were targetting them with abuse. Instead of backing down to unconstitutional raids by New York Police, gay people in local bars fought back. Even though it was a violent situation it gave the underground community the first sense of communal pride in a very well publicized incident. From the yearly parade that commemorated the anniversary of the Stonewall riots began a national grassroots movement in America. 

Today many countries around the world celebrate LGBT pride. The pride movement has furthered the cause of gay rights by lobbying politicians, registering voters and increasing visibility to educate on issues important to LGBT communities. LGBT pride advocates work for equal rights and benefits for LGBT people.


Symbols of LGBT pride include the LGBT rainbow flag, butterfly, the Greek lambda symbol, and the pink as well as black triangles reclaimed from their past use.