'The majority of people at Stonewall were either drag queens or gay men of color,' Titus Montalvo, a hairdresser and makeup artist who was 16 at the time, told USA TODAY's Dalvin Brown.Īt that time, in New York City, “masquerading” as a member of the opposite sex was a crime.Īlthough transgender activist Marsha P.
Following a police invasion of a gay club located in Greenwich Village, riots and protests ensued throughout the city. It all started with the Stonewall Uprising in New York City on June 28, 1969. Why do we celebrate in June? Know their names: Marsha P.
USA TODAY is breaking down your Pride questions below. Though 2020 brought most traditional Pride festivals to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some states are easing back into in-person and virtual events this year.īut what are the origins of Pride Month? What event kicked off the celebrations in the U.S., and who should we thank? How do people celebrate? Festivities, parades and events have been thrown to honor LGBTQ voices and experiences, but also to draw attention to the issues members of the community still face. Watch Video: LGBTQ’s fight for civil rights, explainedįor decades, Pride Month has been celebrated in June across the United States.
