Event: Christopher Street Parade / Pride Parades
Overview: In 1970, Craig Rodwell, Fred Sargeant, Ellen Broidy, and Linda Rhodes of the Gay Liberation Front proposed at the Eastern Regional Conference of Homophile Organizations there be an “Annual Reminder, in order to be more relevant, reach a greater number of people, and encompass the ideas and ideals of the larger struggle in which we are engaged-that of our fundamental human rights-be moved both in time and location.”
Action: Participate or go to a pride parade and/or ask other people about their experiences at pride.
Quick Lesson Steps:
- Questions to Ask: Have you ever been to a parade? Have you ever been to a Pride parade? Why are there Pride Parades? Why are Pride parades and events always held in June?
- Show / do:
a) Tell a story: In 1969, the Stonewall Riots, where LGBT people stood up against police harassment took place in New York City. After this event, many in the LGBTQ movement decided it was important to remember the Stonewall Riots that took place in June. In 1970, Craig Rodwell, Fred Sargeant, Ellen Broidy, and Linda Rhodes of the Gay Liberation Front proposed an “Annual Reminder, in order to be more relevant, reach a greater number of people, and encompass the ideas and ideals of the larger struggle in which LGBT people are engaged-that of our fundamental human rights-be moved both in time and location.” The plan for the march went forward, and more activists joined in the organizing, including Michael Brown, Marty Nixon, Brenda Howard, and Foster Gunnison. A simultaneous march was also planned in Los Angeles by Morris Kight, Reverend Troy Perry and Reverend Bob Humphries. The first marches, which also served as protests, ended up being successful and larger than the Reminder Marches, and they garnered a lot of media attention. Since then, Pride parades, marches and other events have become annual celebrations in many communities to commemorate the Stonewall Riots and to celebrate and be proud of all LGBTQ people and their history. b) Show a few short videos: The history of Pride [3:08 min, talks about the history of violence, Stonewall, Christopher Street Parade, and current day]; Christopher St. West Celebration Day (first Gay Pride Parade, 1970) [1:19 min, just film footage and music]c) Continue the story: In the 1980s, LGBTQ activists shifted to be less radical, likely because of organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and the loss of activists from the AIDS epidemic. As a result, “Gay Liberation” became replaced with “Gay Pride.” Today, Pride parades and events are widespread. On the other hand, Pride also brings up tensions within the LGBTQ community. For example, transgender people and their struggles are often excluded or ignored by the rest of the LGBTQ community. Others feel many forget that Stonewall, the event Pride commemorates, was a riot, and that there is still a lot of work to do. Another concern people have with Pride is how corporations and businesses use Pride to promote their brands.
- Reflection Questions: What is the purpose of having Pride parades or related events? Why are they almost always held in June? What do Pride parades mean to you?
Background:
The idea of having a march for LGBTQ rights was not new as the East Coast of Homophile Organizations (ECHO) with the Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis held “Reminder Marches” for gay rights on July 4th since 1965. In 1970, Craig Rodwell, Fred Sargeant, Ellen Broidy, and Linda Rhodes of the Gay Liberation Front proposed at the Eastern Regional Conference of Homophile Organizations there be an “Annual Reminder, in order to be more relevant, reach a greater number of people, and encompass the ideas and ideals of the larger struggle in which we are engaged-that of our fundamental human rights-be moved both in time and location.”
The plan for the march went forward, and more activists joined in the organizing, including Michael Brown, Marty Nixon, Brenda Howard, and Foster Gunnison. A simultaneous march was also planned in Los Angeles by Morris Kight, Reverend Troy Perry and Reverend Bob Humphries. They called their organization “Christopher Street West.” The marches, which also served as protests, ended up being successful and larger than the Reminder Marches, and they garnered a lot of media attention.
From here the marches became annual and widespread throughout the country, calling their events a variation of “Gay Liberation” or “Gay Freedom” days. In the 1980s, LGBTQ activists shifted to be less radical, likely because of organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and the loss of activists from the AIDS epidemic. As a result, “Gay Liberation” became replaced with “Gay Pride.”
Today, Pride parades and events are widespread. On the other hand, Pride also brings up tensions within the LGBTQ community. For example, transgender people and their struggles are often excluded or ignored by the rest of the LGBTQ community. Others feel many forget that Stonewall, the event Pride commemorates, was a riot, and that there is still a lot of work to do. Another concern people have with Pride is how corporations and businesses use Pride to promote their brands.
Resources:
- Article: Forty and Proud: A Brief History of Christopher Street Liberation Day (SLIDESHOW)
- Article: Gay History 101
