June is officially LGBT Pride Month. Although Pride first started in the US, Pride parades and celebrations can now be found all over the world. It's a month to celebrate:
Your Sexuality
Bi, lesbian, gay, pansexual, polysexual, fluid, flexual, etc.
Your Sex
Intersex, etc.
Your Gender Identity
Transgender, genderfluid, genderqueer, bigender, drag, transvestitism, etc.
Your Lack of Sexuality
Asexual, aromantic, graysexual, etc.
Your Lack of Gender Identity
Agender, gender non-conforming, etc.
This is the month to celebrate, but do you know why?
In the 1960s, anti-LGBT legislation was common throughout the US. Police often raided establishments that catered to LGBT citizens. During these raids, managers and bar workers were often arrested. The police would turn all the lights on, line all the patrons up against the wall and demand to see their IDs. Transvestites and men in drag were often arrested on the spot. Women who were not wearing at least three pieces of conventionally feminine clothing would also be arrested, as would anyone who could not present a valid ID.
There were protests and riots in response to these raids. The most important of these took place following a major raid on the Stonewall Inn in New York City in June 1969. Stonewall was the "it" bar for New York’s LGBT clientele and was famous for allowing intimate couple dancing — something that was unheard of among other LGBT establishments.
Stonewall had already been raided in the previous week and other local clubs and bars had been shut down.
On June 28, the police arrived at Stonewall at 1:20 am. They immediately began to arrest the bar’s patrons and take them outside to wait for the arrival of their patrol cars. A large crowd soon formed. A butch lesbian, who some identify as Stormé DeLarverie, was hit across the head by a police baton in the scuffle, as she tried to escape custody and kept being recaptured and dragged back through the crowd. Finally, she shouted to the onlookers, "Why don't you guys do something?!" The crowd of about 100 then began hurling pennies and other objects at the police. Fearing for their safety, ten of the officers barricaded themselves inside the Stonewall Inn, which the crowd then set on fire. Fire trucks soon arrived to put out the blaze and none of the policemen were killed. But there were rallies and protests among the LGBT community and some of the general public for a further six days.
Many people had been feeling that enough was enough for quite some time. This was the final straw. The riots quickly became an uprising, as the LGBT community found a new strength in unity. They weren't going to take any of it anymore: neither the abuse, nor the social condemnation, nor the archaic laws restricting their freedom of expression. They had begun to fight back and their battle cry was heard nationwide. The following year, several marches were planned in locations around the US to commemorate the Stonewall Riots and to promote a sense of unity among gay, lesbian, bi, and transgender people throughout the nation.
In New York, activist Brenda Howard, who was bi, came up with the idea of a week-long celebration to commemorate the Stonewall Riots. She was a member of the group that planned the New York City march and was pivotal to its success. Because of her efforts, she is often viewed as the “Mother of Pride." We have her to thank for this time of year, when we get to celebrate our authentic selves. It was Howard, alongside fellow bi activist Stephen Donaldson (known as "Donny the Punk"), and gay activist L. Craig Schoonmaker, who popularized the word Pride to describe these festivities. So bi people are definitely an important part of the history of Pride.
This month, not only can we celebrate our own bisexuality but we can commemorate the bi activists who paved the way for this celebration, both in the US and abroad.
Perhaps you are open about your sexuality, or perhaps you have only told a few close friends or family members — or perhaps you are so deep in the closet that you don't even know that we have bi Pride colors to represent us. If that’s you, let me give you some pointers as to how to celebrate Pride month.
Here are five ways in which you can celebrate Pride as a bi person:
1. Post on Your Socials
If you are on social media sites, such as Twitter and Facebook, tweet and post about your bisexuality as often as possible during Pride Month. If you are not out, this is a great time to come out. You can also share stories about bi people from around the world or write a blog post or two about bi issues. Don't forget to add the relevant hashtags for your sexuality and for the month's festivities.
2. Find the Right Organizations
Find a bi organization near you. If they are having an event this month, go along. This is a good way to meet likeminded people and share your experiences. If there isn't a bi organization near you, you could get involved with a local LGBT center and join their celebrations. If you're lucky enough to have a Pride festival and parade occurring near you, make it a priority to attend and be seen as a bi person.
3. Represent the Bi Colors
When you’re attending one of these events — or at any point during the month — try to wear the colors of the bi Pride flag. You don’t have to wear exactly the same shades, but try to find clothes in pink, violet, and blue. Feel free to combine them with rainbows, an ace flag, or any other way you wish to celebrate your identity and your orientation.
4. Represent the Fluid Colors
It can be hard to be an LGBT person in this world. And it may seem even harder to be bi, but this is a time to reflect on all the things you love and value about yourself and your sexuality. Embrace your bisexuality and remember those who came before us and braved a cold, inhospitable, inflexible world. It is thanks to them that we are able to express our sexual fluidity proudly and openly.
5. Be Proud
Be proud of who you are — whether you just affirm it to yourself quietly in your bedroom, or celebrate with a select group of friends, or declare your pride loudly in front of thousands.
Radiate all the good feelings you have about being bi; remember all those times you were in love. Smile! It's Pride Month!
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