Celebrating women
As June marks Pride Month, woman&home columnist Anna Richardson looks at why it’s so important and why there’s still so much more to be done
June is Pride Month, a time of parades, parties and protest as people around the world come together to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the first ever Pride, with over one million people taking to the streets of London. It’s a far cry from the original protest march organised by the Gay Liberation Front in 1972. But among the rainbow flags, A-list supporters and corporate branding, it’s easy to forget that this isn’t just a party for the masses – it’s an evolution of a political movement that has its roots in oppression and the tragedy of the AIDS epidemic. So whether you choose to fly the flag yourself or stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ family, take a moment to reflect on how far Pride has come in its turbulent history – and the continuing struggle against the inequalities that still surround sexuality and identity today.
THE BIRTH OF PRIDE KEY DATES
1969
In the early hours of 28 June 1969, police officers from New York City’s ‘Public Morals Division’ raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in Greenwich Village. The NYPD had the power to enforce all vice laws, including arresting homosexuals by force. But on this particular night, the community fought back – revellers threw bottles, coins and beer cans at police, who barricaded themselves inside the bar. Protestors took control of the streets for several days, in what became known later as the Stonewall Riots. Although this wasn’t the beginning of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, media coverage of the uprising inspired global change.
1972
Just five years after homosexuality was decriminalised in England and Wales, the first UK Pride march, known as Gay Pride, took place in London on 1 July – the date was inspired by the 1969 Stonewall Riots. Organised by the Gay Liberation Front, a political group fighting for lesbian and gay equality, several hundred people marched down Oxford Street to Hyde Park to make their political point.
1988
A law known as Section 28 came into force, banning the ‘promotion’ of gay relationships within UK schools. Many HIV prevention groups argued that it stigmatised gay people even further and gagged teachers from talking about homosexuality at all. Protestors hit the streets, including Sir Ian McKellen. It wasn’t overturned until 2003.
2000
A law was changed allowing gay, bisexual and transgender people to serve in the armed forces in the UK.
2002
Adoption laws were changed to allow same-sex couples to adopt children.
2004
The Civil Partnership Act came into force, allowing same-sex couples to form a legally binding civil partnership.
2007
Following campaigns by ga
