Smith: Origins & Importance of Pride Month

The month of June signals many things — end of school, beginning of summer, longer days and more. But for me, and for many in the LGBTQ+ community and their allies, June means Pride Month.

Christine Smith

The origins of Pride are not the happy scenes we witness today. Pride Month is celebrated in June because June marks the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City in 1969. The Stonewall Riots and related protests were the result of a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in New York’s Greenwich Village. Why was there a raid on a gay club you might ask? Because at that time, police could arrest men (or those who they perceived as men) for dressing in drag, and women (or those perceived as women) could be arrested if found wearing less than three articles of “female” clothing. Police often raided bars to search for such “violations.”

The raid on the Stonewall Inn resulted in riots, protesting the police brutality. It is important to note that the protests were led by transgender women of color, a group that is still targeted today. In addition, employees, patrons and neighbors of the Stonewall Inn joined the protests, which continued throughout the week. A year later, activists held the first Gay Pride week to commemorate the Stonewall Riots; this has morphed into the present-day Pride Month celebrations.

Let’s take a step back for a minute. Just over 50 years ago gay Americans could be arrested just because of who they loved and just for being who they are. While we have made some progress in the recognition of LGBTQ+ rights, there is still a long way to go. Legislatures across the country are passing bills to restrict the rights of transgender individuals. Congress has not yet passed the Equality Act. The Supreme Court has ruled that private companies can discriminate against LGBTQ+ individuals under the guise of religious liberty. LGBTQ youth attempt suicide at a rate that is three to five times higher than their heterosexual peers. Violence against transgender women, especially black transgender women, are at a near-record high.

Lest I be accused of writing about a national issue which does not matter to the people of Canton, remember that there are a number of LGBTQ residents in Canton, and their friends and family, to whom this matters a great deal. They are our sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

A formal celebration and recognition of Pride Month by a community lets its LGBTQ+ members know that they are welcomed in the community; that they are valued. According to the Human Rights Commission, strong family bonds, in addition to safe schools and a supportive community, can protect LGBTQ youth from depression and suicidality. A 2014 study found that LGBTQ adults who live in communities where their sexual orientation is stigmatized die 12 years earlier than those who live in supportive communities. Everyone should be able to support an effort that lets members of our community feel welcome.

The Canton MA Rainbow Project has distributed hundreds of rainbow flags, as well as rainbow heart Canton magnets, which Canton residents and businesses display as a way to show support for the Canton LGBTQ community. As June rolls around every year, I look forward to seeing the displays pop up around town. The Canton Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee is amplifying these efforts this year by distributing rainbow PEACE flags; you may have seen some of these around Canton as well. If you would like a flag or magnet, come to the opening of the Canton Farmer’s Market on Sunday, June 13, where the Canton Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee will have a table with some flags and magnets.

There is one piece of the support missing — an official recognition of Pride month by the town. In addition to the pride flag being flown at the White House and at U.S. embassies around the globe, there is a long list of municipalities throughout the commonwealth that have an official pride flag flying at their town/city hall or a similar location, including Boston, Dedham, Mansfield and Attleboro, to name a few local communities. I look forward to the day when there will be a flag-raising ceremony and an official pride flag on display in Canton. In the meantime, I’ll leave you with this: “Gay Pride was not born of a need to celebrate being gay, but our right to exist without persecution. So instead of wondering why there isn’t a straight pride celebration, be thankful you don’t need one.”  –Author unknown

Christine Smith is a mother of three, an attorney and longtime Canton resident.

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Posted by Christine Smith on Jun 12 2021. Filed under Featured Content, Opinion. Both comments and pings are currently closed.