education
October is LGBTQ history month! We've come up with 5 things you should know while celebrating.
While Stonewall was not the first LGBTQ protest/riot, this was the one that birthed Pride events. During the 1960’s, it wasn’t uncommon for bars to be raided. Patrons could be arrested for any sort of public display of affection with members of the same-sex, and/or cross dressing. On June 28th, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn in New York City but were met with resistance. Activists, like Marsha P. Johnson, fought back and a riot broke out in the streets. This was a major tipping point in movement for LGBTQ rights and the following year on the anniversary of the riots several cities held the first pride marches.
Image source: https://www.britannica.com/event/Stonewall-riots
Marsha P. Johnson was a transgender activists and responsible for making the Stonewall Riots happen. She worked tirelessly throughout her life fighting for the rights of transgender people including co-founding a LGBTQ homeless shelter in New York City. When asked what the P. stood for in her name, she would respond with “pay it no mind.” Marsha served as a fixture in the LGBTQ community for many years until her murder on July 6th, 1992.
Image source: https://www.biography.com/people/marsha-p-johnson-112717
Miss Major is also a pioneer in transgender activism. She was present alongside Marsha P. Johnson during stonewall and hasn’t slowed down since. A lot of her work has focused on helping trans women of color, particularly those who have been incarcerated. She has been involved in multiple causes including caring for those with HIV/AIDS in 80s/90s, helping homeless trans women, and those suffering from addiction. Recently, Miss Major decided to move to the south to begin working on Trans issues in areas where support is needed the most.
In the 1970s, Harvey Milk because a strong activist in the San Francisco area. In 1973, he ran for local office but lost the election. After making a second failed run, he finally became elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. This made Milk one of the first openly elected gay officials in the United States. He was assassinated a year after taking office but left behind a large legacy.
Image source: http://www.newnownext.com/harvey-milk-anniversary-facts/11/2017/
Matthew Shepard was a gay man from Laramie Wyoming. On October 7th, 1998, Matthew brutally attacked in a hate crime where he tied to a fence and left to die. His murder sparked a movement that would take more than a decade to have a resolution. In 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act which expanded the US Federal Hate Crimes Act of 1969 to include gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability.
Image source: https://www.metroweekly.com/2018/10/matthew-shepard-interred-washington-national-cathedral/
