Pride and how to be a good Ally

Celebrated the world over throughout the month of June, Pride is an annual celebration for the LBGTQIA+ Community.

However, this now joyous event has its roots in suffering, in the Stonewall uprising. In 1969, as part of a series of raids, the New York police stormed the Stonewall Inn, a popular safe haven for young gay men, lesbians, and transgender people. The raid took place in the early hours of a June morning with the police making several arrests. For a detailed overview, follow the link.

What followed was a series of protests and riots, against the police and the harassment faced by sexual minorities, those who were seen as ‘other’.

While there had been several outbursts and protests earlier, the Stonewall Uprising was perhaps the first time that people with different sexual and gender identities formed a united front. It is credited to be a major catalyst in elevating the field of gender activism.

In 1970, on the first anniversary of the riots, several hundred demonstrators marched along Greenwich Village’s Christopher Street, which runs past the Stonewall, in what many consider the first Gay Pride march. (1)

In 1978, the ‘Gay Pride’ flag made its debut. The flag, designed by artist Gilbert Baker, has 8 colours, each symbolising an important element (sexuality symbolised by hot pink, life by red, healing by orange, the Sun by yellow, nature by green, art by blue, harmony by indigo, and spirit by violet). The flag has been adopted and adapted by several entities and is now used worldwide.

While earlier Pride Marches would only include those from sexual and gender minorities, with time, heterosexual, cisgender individuals have joined in as well, to show their support and allyship. However it is important to note that the platform is always for the LGBTQIA+ community, and allies should ‘pass the mic’.

Here are some tips on how to be a better ally:

1. Do your research: It is not the duty or responsibility of the LGBTQIA+ community to explain concepts to you. There are several platforms that offer knowledge on the various terms associated with Pride, the community. There are also innumerable interviews that you can look up to understand lived experiences better.
2. Actively listen: As an ally it is important to share the mic, take a step back and let the community have the stage. For years on end gender and sexual minorities have not been able to speak for themselves. Now, when given the chance, listen actively, hear them out.
3. Speak up: If you come across someone being homophobic, transphobic or sharing incorrect information or hate speech, speak up! Stand up for and with the community and help create safe spaces for them
4. Don’t perform: Extending allyship on social media but not doing the same in real life is a big no-no! Put actions to your words; don’t use the movement to gain social media clout.