LGBT Pride Month dates back to an incident that took place in New York City in 1969. On the morning of June 28, 1969, New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in Greenwich Village.
While the police may have had justification for the raid because the bar was allegedly serving alcohol without a license, it really wasn’t unusual for law enforcement to single out gay bars at that time in America. This particular incident was unusual though because the crowd fought back.
According to USA Today, while drag queens were being loaded into the backs of police vans, the crowd began throwing bottles at the police officers. The localized riot soon turned into a brawl that erupted into the streets.
A few days after what was called the “Stonewall Riot,” gay, lesbian and bisexual civil rights demonstrations took place in New York. In the historical context, this was the first major demonstration for homosexual rights. Over the years since that historic event, a lot of water has passed under the bridge.
Presidential recognition dates back to Bill Clinton
President Bill Clinton recognized the month of June as LGBT Pride Month in commemoration of the Stonewall Riots in 1999. Clinton again recognized the month in 2000. However, the practice was abandoned while George W. Bush was president.
President Barack Obama, who really was everyone’s president, picked up the practice of recognizing LGBT Pride Month all eight years of his term in office, issuing proclamations and hosting White House celebrations. President Obama also made the fight for tolerance a national fight, implementing federal policies that defended marginalized groups.
Donald Trump’s campaign promises were hollow
Then, in November 2016, Donald Trump won the election for president. In his campaign, he promised to “defend and protect our LGBT Americans,” going so far as to say he would a better ally of the LGBT community than Hillary Clinton, according to WTVR Richmond.
“Thank you to the LGBT community”, he tweeted. “I will fight for you while Hillary brings in more people that will threaten your freedoms and beliefs.”
It was later that month, after the Orlando nightclub attack, that Trump reiterated his apparent commitment to the LGBT community during a rally in New Hampshire. Trump said, “Ask yourself, who is really the friend of women and the LGBT community? Donald Trump with actions or Hillary Clinton with her words?”
LGBT Pride Month – 2017
Well, here it is, July 1, 2017, and it appears that Trump has failed again at keeping one of his campaign promises, but it isn’t really surprising. He did manage to recognize Great Outdoors Month, National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, African-American Music Appreciation Month, National Ocean Month and National Homeownership Month, but the LGBT community was blatantly left out.
People are beginning to realize that our business mogul/president used all sectors of the American public to get elected. The LGBT community was just lucky he used them, making them believe they were a needed part of his election. Just think what would have happened if he had treated them like he has treated women, blacks, religious minorities, Latino immigrants, and Muslims?
