🌈 The Origins and Purpose of Pride Month
Written by Peter Boykin on June 2, 2025
🌈 The Origins and Purpose of Pride Month
#GoRightNews Shared by Peter Boykin
American Political Commentator / Citizen Journalist / Activist / Constitutionalist for Liberty
Is Pride Month Still Necessary in America Today?
This article explores the origins of Pride Month, its significance in contemporary society, and the ongoing debates surrounding its celebration. It delves into the historical context of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, the evolution of Pride events, and the perspectives of various communities, including constitutional conservatives.
#PrideMonth2025, #LGBTQRights, #ConstitutionalRepublic, #GoRightNews, #PeterBoykin, #CivilLiberties, #EqualityForAll, #Stonewall50, #PrideHistory, #UnityInDiversity
🌈 The Origins and Purpose of Pride Month
Pride in our Nations Capital
Imagine standing in the heart of Washington, D.C., amidst a sea of rainbow flags, as the city commemorates the 50th anniversary of Pride celebrations. The atmosphere is electric, filled with joy, remembrance, and a collective call for equality. This scene is not just a celebration but a testament to the enduring struggle for civil rights in our Constitutional Republic.
The Purpose of Pride Month
Pride Month traces its roots to the early hours of June 28, 1969, when New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Greenwich Village. The raid sparked six days of protests and clashes, marking a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Pride Month is celebrated every June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, a pivotal event in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
The first Pride march occurred in were held in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. In New York City on June 28, 1970 it marked the uprising’s first anniversary. This event laid the foundation for annual Pride celebrations worldwide, serving as a platform for LGBTQ+ individuals to advocate for equal rights and societal acceptance.
Showing a History of Pride
These images show the evolution of Pride over decades, from the 1960s and 1970s marches for gay liberation, through the 1980s and 1990s when the AIDS crisis and social stigma gave the community a real fight for survival and dignity. Back then, being gay was criminalized or heavily discriminated against in many states. Sodomy laws were still on the books until 2003. There was no federal anti-discrimination protection, no marriage equality, no safe military service, and no serious public response to the AIDS crisis for years.
These Pride marches were never about “flaunting sexual preferences.” They were, and still are, a demand to be treated as equal Americans. The images from decades ago show people marching peacefully, dressed in ways that wouldn’t shock anyone today. They’re reminders that Pride was, and is, about civil rights.
Pride Month officially started after the Stonewall Riots of 1969. The first Pride march took place in June 1970 in New York City to mark the first anniversary of Stonewall. It became a month-long observance of both the progress made and the fights still ahead.
Even today, many people want to demonize Pride as an “in-your-face” display or reduce it to wild costumes or celebrities. But if you look closely, these images—of people in shirts and jeans, carrying simple signs—are no different from how many Pride marches still look today. In fact, you can still find countless Pride events where people wear everyday clothes, carry flags, and chant for equality. Look at photos from smaller cities’ Pride parades, and you’ll see the same spirit as these vintage images, ordinary people demanding equal rights.
Unfortunately, hate and discrimination haven’t gone away. Even as some states are pushing to restrict LGBTQ+ rights again, Pride Month serves as a reminder that we’re all Americans—no matter who we love or how we identify. It’s a time to remember that freedom means respecting everyone’s liberty, not just our own.
So yes, Pride is still needed. Not to show off, but to make sure the hard-won rights of LGBTQ+ Americans aren’t erased or forgotten. These images prove that the same determination and decency of past Pride marches lives on in those who show up for them today.
Let’s look to a more modern time: Legal Status in 1985:
Sodomy Laws: While Illinois decriminalized same-sex sexual activity in 1962, many states still had sodomy laws in place by 1985. These laws criminalized consensual same-sex relations, effectively making it illegal to be openly gay in those jurisdictions. It wasn’t until the 2003 Supreme Court decision in Lawrence v. Texas that such laws were invalidated nationwide.
Discrimination Protections: In 1985, there were minimal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation. For instance, on June 17, 1985, Burlington, Vermont, under Mayor Bernie Sanders, passed an ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in housing, employment, and public accommodations, a progressive move at the time.
Military Service: LGBTQ+ individuals were barred from serving openly in the military. The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which allowed closeted service, wasn’t enacted until 1993 and was later repealed in 2011.
Marriage and Immigration: Same-sex marriage was not recognized anywhere in the U.S. In 1985, the case of Adams v. Howerton affirmed that the Immigration and Naturalization Service did not have to recognize same-sex marriages for immigration purposes, leading to the deportation of one partner in a same-sex couple.
Social Climate: Beyond legal challenges, the LGBTQ+ community faced significant societal stigma. The AIDS crisis was at its peak, with the federal government’s response widely criticized as inadequate. This period saw increased activism, with organizations like ACT UP forming to demand better healthcare and rights for those affected .
While not universally illegal, being openly gay in 1985 subjected individuals to a patchwork of discriminatory laws and widespread societal prejudice. The progress made since then underscores the importance of continued advocacy and awareness.
Pride Today: Celebrations and Controversies:
In 2025, Pride events span the nation, from the vibrant parades in New York City to community-driven festivals in Richmond and Indianapolis. These events celebrate diversity, promote inclusivity, and honor the progress made in LGBTQ+ rights.
However, not all reactions are positive. The Buffalo Bills’ acknowledgment of Pride Month on social media elicited mixed responses, with some fans expressing discomfort and urging the team to focus solely on football. This highlights the ongoing debate about the role of organizations in social advocacy.
📷 Visual Reflections of Pride
To further illustrate the enduring spirit of Pride, here are some images from recent celebrations:
New York City Pride Parade 2025: Participants marching with rainbow flags, echoing the unity and activism of the original Pride marches.
Chicago Pride Parade 2024: Community members coming together under the theme “Pride is Power,” emphasizing visibility and change.
Bangkok Pride Parade 2025: Celebrating the legalization of same-sex marriage, showcasing the global impact and significance of Pride.
📸 Modern Pride Celebrations Reflecting Historical Roots
Contemporary Pride events continue to embody the spirit of the original marches. For instance, the 2024 New York City Pride Parade featured participants waving rainbow flags and marching in solidarity, reminiscent of the early demonstrations . Similarly, the 2024 Chicago Pride Parade, themed “Pride is Power,” emphasized visibility and change for LGBTQ+ individuals .
These events are not merely celebrations but also affirmations of identity and calls for continued progress. They provide a space for individuals to express themselves authentically and to stand against ongoing discrimination.
🏳️🌈 The Ongoing Need for Pride
While significant strides have been made since 1985, challenges persist. Many LGBTQ+ individuals still face discrimination, lack of legal protections, and societal stigma. Pride Month serves as a reminder of the progress achieved and the work that remains.
Recent global events underscore this need. For example, Thailand’s 2025 Pride Parade in Bangkok celebrated the country’s legalization of same-sex marriage, marking a significant milestone in Southeast Asia . Such developments highlight the importance of Pride as a platform for advocacy and celebration of human rights.
🇺🇸 Pride as an American Value
Celebrating Pride aligns with core American values of freedom, equality, and justice. It’s about ensuring that every individual, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, has the right to live authentically and without fear. Pride Month is not about division but about uniting to uphold the rights and dignity of all citizens.
Pride Month remains a vital observance, honoring past struggles, celebrating progress, and advocating for a more inclusive future. It’s a testament to the enduring fight for equality and the belief that everyone deserves to live with dignity and pride. 🏳️🌈
A Constitutional Conservative Perspective:
From a constitutional conservative viewpoint, the celebration of Pride Month aligns with the principles of individual liberty and equal protection under the law. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of expression, allowing individuals and communities to celebrate their identities openly.
However, concerns arise when advocacy shifts towards compelling speech or infringing upon others’ rights. It’s essential to balance the celebration of diversity with respect for differing beliefs, ensuring that no group feels marginalized or coerced.
The Importance of Informed Discourse:
In today’s digital age, it’s easy to form opinions based on headlines or social media posts without delving into the full context. This trend is concerning, as it mirrors the very behavior often criticized in political opponents. Engaging in informed discourse requires reading, understanding, and critically analyzing information before forming judgments.
Go Right News: Advocating for Balanced Perspectives:
At Go Right News, we strive to present issues from multiple angles, grounded in constitutional principles. We believe in defending civil liberties, promoting informed discussions, and challenging extremism on all sides. Our commitment is to truth and integrity, not partisan narratives.
Pride Month serves as a reminder of the ongoing journey towards equality and the importance of safeguarding individual rights in our Constitutional Republic. While celebrations may vary in form and reception, the underlying message remains: every individual deserves respect, dignity, and the freedom to live authentically.
#GoRight with Peter Boykin: The Need For Pride
🎙️ “Friends and patriots, let’s take a step back and reflect on the spirit of what makes America truly exceptional: the willingness of its people to stand up, rise up, and demand what’s right, no matter the cost.
Let’s look at history. In the 1770s, a group of colonists, tired of tyranny and overreach, gathered at Boston Harbor. They tossed crates of tea into the water, not because they wanted free tea, but because they wanted liberty. The Boston Tea Party wasn’t just a protest, it was the spark that lit the flame of independence.
Fast forward nearly 200 years later. In the 1960s, Black Americans refused to accept second-class citizenship. They faced dogs and fire hoses, but they marched for justice anyway. That fight was not about demanding privilege, it was about demanding the same rights promised to every American under our Constitutional Republic.
Now, let’s bring it to June 28, 1969. In a small bar called the Stonewall Inn, LGBTQ+ people faced yet another form of tyranny: raids, arrests, harassment, simply for being who they were. When the police came in that night, the patrons of Stonewall did not back down. They rose up, and that act of defiance sparked a movement.
Just like the patriots at Boston Harbor, just like the foot soldiers of the civil rights movement, those who stood at Stonewall demanded nothing more, and nothing less—than the equal protection guaranteed by our Constitution.
It’s important to remember: Pride Month isn’t about special privileges or flamboyant parades. At its core, it’s about the same thing that has driven every American uprising against oppression, the fight for liberty, dignity, and justice.
Even as we debate events like the protest-turned-riot at the Capitol on January 6th, whether you call it a riot, an insurrection, or a misguided demonstration, it was also born of a frustration with the government’s unresponsiveness and the feeling of being unheard. While we may not agree with how that day unfolded, it reminds us that dissent and protest are woven into the very fabric of our nation.
That’s the common thread, folks: The fight for liberty is never pretty. It’s messy, it’s passionate, and it’s driven by the same spirit that gave birth to our Constitutional Republic.
So as we commemorate Pride Month, let’s remember that it is part of this long American tradition, a testament to the power of ordinary citizens to rise up and demand a better future.
At #GoRight with Peter Boykin, we stand for liberty for all. We stand for the right of every individual, gay or straight, Black or white, left or right, to live free from tyranny and to demand a government that serves We the People.
This is what #GoRight stands for: liberty, justice, and the courage to rise up when those in power overstep their bounds.
Let’s #GoRight, let’s stand up for what’s right, and let’s honor the spirit of resistance that built this great nation.” 🗽
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