Happy Queer Pride Everyone!

Today is Pride Day, which is a celebration/commemoration of the Stonewall Riots in New York City in 1969. It is seen as one of the defining moments where this marginalized community banded together and took on one of their myriad oppressors- this time the police.

It is not the first riot of its kind. Actually, the same sort of event happened in San Francisco three years earlier at Compton's Cafeteria. The Stonewall event just got more media coverage and gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people heard this "shot heard 'round the world" and took up figurative arms.

I find it alarming how many younger Queer folks do not really know their own history. Many are not aware of these riots, or that they were led by drag queens and transgender folks. Many only know this day as a reason to party (not that there is anything wrong with fun!).



Days like this, while now celebrated with vodka brand floats and other corporate underwriting (gag), are worth noting and celebrating in some way. I plan on teaching my son about the struggles of all marginalized peoples and how we need to work together to solve problems, including oppression. To revel in his queerness (regardless of who he loves) and be a good ally to the communities to which he does not belong.

Rowan and me at last year's Freedom Village.

In these days of political uncertaincy and backlash against women, Queers, religious minorities and the poor (among others)- we need to take heart in our past victories and move forward together towards a brighter future.

I look forward to spending Pride Day teaching Sunday School, then heading to the Radical Faerie Freedom Village, which is the only commercial-free space in all of the SF Pride celebration.