The LGBTQIA+ Pride: From Silence to Celebration
- Abhisweta Bhattacharjee
- Aug 10, 2023
- 9 min read
In its 51-year journey, the LGBTQIA+/Pride movement has embarked on a transformative journey, reshaping societal attitudes. From the historic Stonewall Riots to the vibrant Pride parades advocating diversity, the movement has made remarkable progress.
In this article, we will answer
How and where did the Pride movement start?
Is LGBTQIA+ a real thing?
What is gender and sexual identity and how are the two different?
Social perspectives of and towards Pride
And so?
I. A Short History
The roots of the LGBTQIA+/Pride movement can be traced back to the late 19th century in Germany. In 1897, the first gay rights organization, the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee, emerged under the leadership of Magnus Hirschfeld. This pioneering group advocated against Germany's anti-sodomy statute, known as Paragraph 175, which criminalized sexual acts between men.
Henry Gerber, a 31-year-old soldier, returned to Chicago in 1923 after witnessing the gay rights movement in Germany. Determined to create change in America, he founded the Society for Human Rights in 1924, the country's first-known gay rights organization. Gerber published a newsletter called Friendship and Freedom to spread awareness, but police raided his home, leading to his arrest and the Society's disbandment. Despite being erased from public records due to the raid, Henry Gerber's pioneering work gained recognition in 1963, solidifying his status as a trailblazer.
In 1966, activism gained momentum with key events like the "sip-in" at Julius' bar in New York City. Activists Dick Leitsch, Craig Rodwell, and Randy Wicker challenged discriminatory practices by publicly identifying as gay and attempting to order drinks, leading to refusal. Once that happened, the Mattachine Society—with the support of the American Civil Liberty Union in New York—could move forward with action against the State Liquor Authority. This act of civil disobedience highlighted the need to confront the systematic discrimination faced by the LGBTQIA+ community, sparking further demands for equality and justice.
Around the same time, the Genovese crime family took control of several gay bars in Greenwich Village, including the Stonewall Inn, transforming it into a gay bar to evade liquor license requirements, operating as a "bottle bar". Despite the club's flaws, Stonewall Inn became a safe haven for marginalized LGBTQIA+ individuals. On June 28, 1969, a police raid at Stonewall Inn sparked a riot that lasted six days, known as the Stonewall Uprising. It started when Marsha P. Johnson cried “I got my civil rights!” and threw a shot glass into a mirror (now known as "the Shot Glass that was Heard Around the World"). This historic event became a turning point, igniting widespread protests and advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights.
On June 28, 1970, exactly a year after the Stonewall riots, America's first-ever Gay Pride march was organized by Brenda Howard, also known as the "Mother of Pride." Dubbed Christopher Street Liberation Day as a tribute to the Stonewall Inn’s home address, this march celebrated LGBTQIA+ identities while demanding equal rights and an end to discrimination, inspiring Pride events around the world.
Over the years that followed, a series of legal reforms brought significant progress for LGBTQIA+ rights. In 1967, the United Kingdom took a historic step by decriminalizing homosexuality between consenting adults over the age of 21, a milestone that inspired other countries to reconsider their discriminatory laws. Throughout the 1970s, the movement saw the LGBTQIA+/Pride movement grow and spread internationally. In 1999, President Bill Clinton officially declared June as Gay & Lesbian Pride Month. Barack Obama then did the same (with the more inclusive title of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Pride Month) for each of his eight years in the White House.
II. The Changing Lens of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Psychology
Throughout history, biases and misconceptions about LGBTQIA+ individuals have pervaded the fields of neuroscience, mental health, and psychology. However, pioneering research and landmark studies have progressively shed light on the complexity and diversity of gender orientation and sexual identification.
The Kinsey Reports, "Sexual Behavior in the Human Male" (1948) and "Sexual Behavior in the Human Female" (1953), were groundbreaking studies led by Dr. Alfred Kinsey and his team at the Kinsey Institute. Data from 12,000 interviews revealed that 37% of males and 13% of females had experienced at least some overt homosexual experience leading to orgasm. Additionally, 10% of males were identified as ‘more or less exclusively homosexual’, and 2-6% for females. Moreover, 4% of males and 1-3% of females reported being ‘exclusively homosexual’ from adolescence to the time of the interview. These revelations challenged prevailing assumptions about the prevalence and diversity of sexual orientations, sparking open discussions and reshaping modern understandings of human sexuality. The Kinsey reports laid the foundation for evidence-based approaches to sexual health and behavior, suggesting that sexual orientation and gender identity possess a degree of fluidity and diversity.
The Minnesota Twin Family Study (1979-1990) provided further insights into the origins of sexual orientation. Following identical and fraternal twins who were separated at an early age, the study indicated that sexual orientation is likely influenced by a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors, with genetics playing a significant role. This study debunked unfounded notions that sexual orientation is solely a choice or a predetermined trait, highlighting instead the interplay of biological and environmental influences.
In recent years, advancements in brain imaging technology have allowed researchers to investigate the neurobiological basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. A study by Rametti et al. (2011) used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to examine white matter microstructure in the brains of transgender individuals. They found that the white matter microstructure of transgender individuals more closely resembled that of their experienced gender rather than their assigned sex at birth, indicating a biological basis for gender identity.
A more recent longitudinal study titled "A Multidimensional Model of Sexual Orientation Identity: Stability and Change in Adolescence and Young Adulthood," (Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2020), explored the stability and potential changes in sexual orientation identity over time. The findings revealed that sexual orientation identity is not a fixed and unchanging trait but rather a multifaceted construct that can evolve as individuals explore and gain a deeper understanding of their own sexuality. These results underscore the concept of sexual fluidity, where individuals may experience shifts in their sexual orientation identity over the course of their lives.
As research advances, several pivotal milestones have helped destigmatize and recognize LGBTQIA+ identities in the field of mental health. In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders, dismantling the pathologization of non-heterosexual orientations. Following suit, the World Health Organization (WHO) declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder in its International Classification of Diseases (ICD) in 1992 – a significant global step towards ending discrimination. The American Psychological Association (APA) further championed LGBTQIA+ mental health in 2009 with a groundbreaking task force report endorsing LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy. This report highlighted the importance of creating supportive and non-discriminatory therapeutic environments that affirm and validate the identities and experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals, promoting mental well-being within the community.
III. The Power of Representation
In recent years, mainstream media has made strides in representing LGBTQIA+ characters and stories authentically and diversely. Television shows, films, and advertisements have featured LGBTQIA+ individuals as multidimensional characters with rich narratives that transcend stereotypes. This positive representation has not only offered LGBTQIA+ audiences relatable and empowering role models but has also allowed individuals who identify as 'straight' to gain insight into the diverse experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Social media platforms have also emerged as vital tools for fostering LGBTQIA+ visibility and amplifying voices within the community. Online platforms allow individuals to share their stories, experiences, and advocacy efforts, fostering global connections. For instance, the "It Gets Better" project sent messages of hope and support to LGBTQIA+ youth, combating the negative impacts of bullying and discrimination. Enhanced LGBTQIA+ visibility in various fields, including politics and entertainment, has been pivotal in shaping public perceptions. Courageous figures like Harvey Milk and Ellen DeGeneres have paved the way for others to embrace their identities openly, fostering empathy and understanding.
Education and awareness campaigns have effectively challenged stereotypes and misinformation about LGBTQIA+ individuals. Organizations like GLAAD have led efforts to promote fair and accurate media representation of LGBTQIA+ lives.
However, despite progress, negative portrayals and stereotypes of LGBTQIA+ individuals still persist in media. Such representations can perpetuate harmful biases and contribute to stigmatization, affecting the mental health and well-being of LGBTQIA+ individuals. The 'bury your gays' trope, where LGBTQIA+ characters are disproportionately depicted facing tragic fates, is an example of harmful stereotypes that need to be challenged and dismantled.
Increasing attention is a great opportunity for commercialization, too much of which has led to concerns that Pride might be moving away from its original protest roots and becoming more of a celebratory party, raising questions about its ongoing role in advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights. Organizers have expressed concerns about the prominent display of corporate logos during Pride events and the influx of funds from wealthy companies. Additionally, the involvement of politicians and corporations not genuinely committed to LGBTQIA+ interests have also sparked debates.
In response, activists have established independent Pride events under different names, like Alternative Pride or Queer Liberation March or Reclaim Pride, often characterized by raucous protests, disrupting the orderly, wealthy, corporate-funded events to remind everyone that Pride is more than rainbows — a call to radical change. Some argue that this commercialization may dilute the movement's original intent, prioritizing profits over authentic LGBTQIA+ experiences and advocacy. Striking a balance between celebration, representation, and advocacy becomes paramount.
IV. The Other Side of the Coin
On the flipside, some supporters/members of the LGBTQIA+ community may lately seem to be using aggressive tactics to promote rainbow identities.
Members of Pride activism have been accused of inappropriately targeting children with explicit promotion of sexuality, which some label as "sexual grooming." Concerns have been raised regarding certain Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH) programs involving children as young as preschool age (delivery of a certain "Twerk it. Shake it. Move it” class), where previous criminals and sex offenders were involved. Activist educators like Gays Against Groomers have raised their voices against such inappropriateness. The examples we know include a former president of an organization supporting the Milwaukee Drag Queen Story Hour being charged with possessing child pornography and a registered child sex offender being admitted to read to children in a DQSH event at the Houston Public Library. Efforts to address these issues, such as the Florida bill, aim to ensure transparency in curricula and hold educators accountable. However, some argue that further measures are necessary to prevent educators from encouraging children to hide their LGBTQIA+ identity from parents, likening such actions to predatory grooming.
Alternative views on certain topics have been strategically silenced, leading to controversy. An example is the research conducted by University of Texas sociologist Mark Regnerus, who found that children raised by gay parents fared differently compared to those raised by married opposite-sex parents. His research faced heavy criticism from academics, and attempts were made to discredit his work. However, the university inquiry ultimately found no grounds for further investigation.
In recent times, corporate media has allowed only a limited group of individuals to express their concerns about significant social shifts related to gender and transgender issues. For example, The Washington Post featured an op-ed by a trans person Corinna Cohn, who candidly discussed the challenges and complexities of gender transition. Similarly, the Los Angeles Times interviewed Erica Anderson, another transgender person and former clinical psychologist, who expressed concern about the rise of gender dysphoria among American youth. However, the reaction seems to be different when someone outside the LGBTQIA+ community seeks to discuss similar effects, often labelling them as ‘homophobic’. This raises questions about the openness to diverse perspectives.
Since 2014, there has been a significant increase in media coverage of transgender issues. The Washington Post alone has published around 1,160 articles and opinions on the topic, while The New York Times has surpassed 9,000 unreservedly positive news stories and opinion pieces. This surge in attention shows the growing support for Pride and its message of total respectful acceptance of oneself and others.
However, it's crucial to be mindful that when something gains immense popularity, it can also be co-opted for profit, and diverse opinions may dilute the original agenda of Pride. Despite this, the core values of genuine acceptance and inclusivity remain paramount in the ongoing fight for LGBTQIA+ rights.
V. Lessons from Pride
The ongoing struggles for LGBTQIA+ and racial equality, spanning centuries and potentially lasting for many more, can feel overwhelming for those in both communities. It serves as a reminder of the damaging impact of homophobia and the continued importance of fighting for acceptance and equality.
At its core, Pride is about embracing and celebrating our identities, no matter who we love. Jericho Brown, the winner of the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for poetry, shared thoughts about the word and its meaning. “We think of Pride — capital P — in terms of community: Men, women, and nonbinary people loudly claiming their existence, their contribution to society and culture, and their ability to love,” he wrote. “But no one will ever know exactly how each of us learned self-acceptance or how to create community from that acceptance.”
Pride is instrumental in advancing both equality and equity within the LGBTQIA+ community. While equality ensures fairness by treating everyone equally, equity means providing personalized support to address individual needs and ensuring equal opportunities for success. Despite having equal opportunities on the surface, some members of the LGBTQIA+ community face distinct challenges, making it essential to provide additional support to help them fully seize these opportunities.
Another significant lesson we learn from Pride is the power of personal storytelling. By sharing our experiences and absorbing others' stories with respect and empathy, we can raise awareness about LGBTQIA+ and racial equality. Historical figures like Frank Kameny and Marsha P. Johnson demonstrated the impact of sharing their stories in the past, inspiring others to take action and create change. It's not just up to those directly affected by discrimination; everyone has a role to play by standing up for change, speaking up in social circles, and supporting others.
Let’s take two pledges today:
We will expand our circles and actively engage with people from the LGBTQIA+ community. Avoiding isolation and embracing diversity help challenge biases and prejudices, fostering greater acceptance and understanding.
We will make commitments to create awareness and encourage by speaking up, protesting, educating ourselves, supporting others, and practicing self-care (Homework: Do you know the difference between gender identity and sexual orientation?)
Even though there are LGBTQIA+ focused organizations, some individuals may still feel hesitant about seeking help. Let's make it easier for everyone to live.
As we celebrate Pride, let us incorporate these lessons into our lives and work together to build a more inclusive and accepting world for everyone.
ImFromDriftwood - YouTube – collection of LGBTQIA+ stories from all over the world.
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