Hello Everyone, and welcome to those who are new.
Many of you know me already. For those who do not (because there are many new people here), my name is Lyric Rivera (they/them).
I’m NeuroDivergent (Autism & ADHD are what I feel comfortable sharing with people), and I’m also Queer (trans-nonbinary/GenderFluid, Pansexual, Polyamorous) –which I make no effort to hide 90% of the time.
Today, I hope to dive deeper than the festivities and rainbow-colored decorations that pop up in June, hoping to illuminate (and shift focus back to) Pride’s rich history, ongoing struggles, and importance, emphasizing its role as a powerful symbol of resilience, acceptance and the continued fight for Queer rights (in a time where it feels as if in many ways we are going backward instead of forwards in this area).
Pride may have become more of a party in my lifetime, but just over fifty years ago, on June 28, 1969, Pride was very different.
There was no PRIDE flag in those days.
In those days, Queer People were not accepted but were scorned and had no legal protections against discrimination.
The Stonewall Riots were a series of protests in 1969 (sparked by outrage at the brutal treatment and harassment from local police departments).
This event marked a pivotal moment in the Queer rights movement as multiply-marginalized communities fought back against police brutality and discrimination.
In the 1960s, it was normal to be in the closet, and most people didn’t out themselves as Queer.
Back then, Queer People were frequently punished and criminalized (or sentenced to inhumane medical procedures such as lobotomies, castration, and conversion “therapy”) as “treatment” for their Queerness.
It seems as if some people want to push us back into our closets.
Until most people can put their biased and stigmatizing assumptions about Queer People behind them, Pride will remain vital as a declaration of resistance against ongoing discrimination and erasure, providing a platform to amplify Queer voices as we demand that our human rights be protected and preserved (instead of stripped away and violated).
In June and all year long, we also need our allies to start showing up and standing in solidarity, even when we are “not in the room.”
The bigots have gotten way too comfortable speaking their hatred out loud recently, and it is time to push THE HATE back into the closet – so love can be free.
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That’s the kind of help you can’t put a price on.
It would mean a lot to me,
– Lyric Lark Rivera
