Pride History

Hello! Let's learn a little about the history of Pride.

• Pride first started with the Stonewall Riots, also known as the Stonewall Uprising. It began in the 1960s, when Mayor Wagner of New York City prepared to raid the city's somewhat secretly LGBTQ+ friendly establishments. The New York City Police started to raid gay bars, arresting many. Among the arrested were drag queens, transgender women, etc. On Saturday, June 28th, 1969, the NYPD officers approached the Stonewall Inn, prepared for yet another raid. As the police began to arrest the occupants of the bar, a trans woman brought her purse and hit a officer on the head. Shortly after, violence erupted throughout the area, with the LGBTQ+ community fighting back against the police. The Stonewall Riots lasted up to five days, marking the official start of the gay liberation movement. The first ever pride march was held a year later on June 28th, 1970, in New York City.

• Do you know Marsha P. Johnson? Marsha was a black trans woman, and one of the leaders of the Stonewall Riots.

• The Pride Flag, or rainbow flag, was created by the artist Gilbert Baker.

• The colors of the rainbow flag have their own meanings; pink symbolizes sexuality, life by red, orange is healing, sun by yellow, nature by green, blue is art and magic, harmony and serenity is indigo, and violet for spirit.

Feel free to do more research as you wish!