NATIONWIDE – From the Stonewall Inn raid to same-sex marriage legalization, the month of June is LGBTQ Pride Month commemorating the historical fight for equality.
June 28, 1969 marks a transitional moment for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender liberation movement.
On that morning 49 years ago, police raided a gay club in Manhattan, the Stonewall Inn, igniting protests and police harassment of the gay community. In the days that followed the LGBTQ community banded together, sparking the historical movement that would lead to the push for equality.
Prior to the '60s New York law allowed places serving alcohol to LGBTQ individuals to be shut down or penalized. The Stonewall Inn became a place where anyone was welcome regardless of their sexual orientation.
Following the Stonewall raid, political activists began to form the first gay rights groups, including the Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, and PFLAG.
After decades of fighting for equality, same-sex marriage was legalized on June 26, 2015 nationwide.
Former President Barack Obama then commemorated the site of the Stonewall riots in 2016 as a monument that contributed to equality for the LBGTQ community.
Ways to celebrate:
In Austin there is a QueerBomb event on Saturday, June 2 encouraging attendees to dress up for a procession down 6th Street. The event will be at the Fair Market starting at 6 p.m. All ages and all sexual orientations are welcome to attend.
In San Antonio there is a Family Pride event on Saturday, June 2 hosted by PFLAG in the Historic Market Square. Beginning at 12 p.m. there will be music, food, fun and a whole lot of pride.