On June 11, the National Pride March is set to take Washington, D.C. by storm. 30,000 members of our LGBTQ community and our allies have already committed to marching. The march serves as a fierce rebuttal of the Trump administration’s disregard for equality and diversity. These 30,000 men and women are giving up their cocktails, drag shows and parades for some good ol’ fashioned activism. The rest of us should consider following their lead.
The first Pride parade commenced back in June 1969. It was created to commemorate the Stonewall riots and their place in history. Looking back at photos of that first parade, it’s reminiscent of the civil rights movement. Those who marched carried signs reading “I’m proud of my gay son”, “smash sexism” and “Gay is good, gay is proud”. Despite being called a parade, those gathered on Christopher Street were marching for their rights. They wanted to remind New York that what happened at Stonewall could never happen again.
Over the years, Pride has devolved into debauchery. Many of us in the community celebrate it the way most Americans celebrate holidays like the Fourth of July or Labor Day. We know we should celebrate, but the meaning behind that celebration gets lost a little more each year. We prioritize circuit parties, sexy outfits and late nights over honoring the memory of those who fought for us to dance in the streets.
There were a couple exceptions in the last decade. Last year, the horrific Pulse nightclub massacre was a stark reminder that tolerance isn’t guaranteed. Last summer, many of us danced for those 49 people who no longer could. And in 2015, we cried and celebrated because we’d finally gained the right to marry.
But most Pride years aren’t so poignant. They’re fun. They’re wild. They’re barely memorable thanks to alcohol-fueled benders. And there’s nothing wrong with that. I’ve partied with the best of them. But this year, instead of looking back on tragedy or a recent victory, we need to look ahead.
The White House is filled with people who are gunning to strip away our rights. Yes, marriage will remain intact for us. We’ve heard time and time again from Trump and several other Cabinet members that it was decided by the Supreme Court. That it’s the law of the land.
However, this President is unpredictable. This administration is unhinged. Vice President Mike Pence sought to legalize discrimination while he was governor of Indiana. Chief Strategist Steve Bannon has a history of marginalizing minority groups through hate speech. He’s even used gay slurs in public interviews. This White House is not the same one that has pushed landmark legislation and protections for us for the last 8 years.
We are in foreign territory now, and if we don’t speak up to protect our rights, they will surely be taken away. This June, Pride month should represent so much more than a party. There are times to celebrate, and there are times to fight. This era is defined as the latter.
Our community needs to show that we’re proud but also that we’re willing to stand our ground. We need to show that Pride is about historical significance. It’s about acknowledgment. It’s about preserving a legacy and cementing it. It’s about solidifying a foundation so that nothing, not even a hate-filled White House, can destroy it.
Pride 2017 is a year in which we need to speak loud to ensure we’re heard. If we don’t, Pride 2018 will feel more like a funeral. We have the power to do something about it. Let’s not waste it.