By Olivia Spak
June is finally here–the sun is shining, school is almost over, and pride month is here! Pride month celebrates the visibility of the LGBT+ community, but how did it become what it is today? Pride Month was initially inspired by the 1969 Stonewall Uprising and many works to achieve equal justice and opportunities for LGBT Americans. Pride Month commemorates the ongoing pursuit of equal justice for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community and celebrates the accomplishments of LGBT individuals. In the 60’s, gay bars were raided by police frequently, as it was illegeal to sell alcohol to gay people. As a result, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in New York city. Some patrons began resisting arrest, and the clash began to escalate quickly. This riot broke out and lasted three days, but these three days are what made history. This gave way to several days of confrontations and demonstrations that were instrumental in birthing the modern LGBTQ+ activist movement. Leaders like Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Stormé DeLarverie, and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy young New York residents are all referenced as participants in the Stonewall uprising, but their lives and lifetime of work in the LGBTQ+ community deserve their own celebration. To this day, these events have inspired many LGBT youth, and organizations such as GLADD and the Trevor project. The Current OC wishes you an amazing pride month.