Monday, 6/30/97 The history of pride COMMUNITY: The June 1969
Stonewall riots marked the birth of modern-day Gay Pride and lent
steam to LGBT activism
By Dawnya Pring Daily Bruin Contributor It was a sweltering New
York June in 1969 and America was hot with political strife when
the rallying call "Gay Power" was born. A powerful chant
reverberated through the streets of SoHo. "Gay Power" was heard for
the very first time. Unbeknownst to all involved, this turbulent
weekend would mark the first celebration of Gay Pride. "(Gays and
lesbians) had just finally had enough," retorts Charles Outcalt,
director of UCLA’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resources
Office (LBGT). "They decided that the time had come, and they
weren’t going to be carried away in a paddy wagon again." Gay Pride
celebrations have become a tradition within the LBGT community. In
the 28 years since June 1969, Gay Pride celebrations have grown to
encompass thousands of participants all over the world. What is
being commemorated, however, is an event less joyous than the
modern Gay Pride parades. June has become Gay Pride’s designated
month for one reason: The Stonewall Rebellion. A struggle for civil
liberties, the rebellion was a three-day protest fought in urban
streets and fueled by prejudice and inequality. Minority groups in
1969 faced many injustices. Gay populations were one of the most
oppressed groups at the time, often facing beatings and arrests at
the hands of local law enforcement. The New York Beverage Control
Board Agents and Police Officers dominated every situation they
encountered. In the last weekend of June 1969, they thought that a
raid on an African American and Latino drag bar called the
Stonewall Inn would be no exception. That bar on Christopher Street
in New York has now reached legendary status in the gay community.
The Stonewall Rebellion began with agents and police invading the
bar, allegedly on the prowl for violations of alcohol control laws.
As usual, the officers raided the Stonewall, spewing sexually
derogatory and homophobic remarks. They marched through the crowd
checking personal identification while unlawfully throwing patrons
out of the bar or arresting them. But on this night the bar patrons
did not go quietly into the night, disappearing as they had done so
many nights before. That intangible light that ignites civil unrest
was sparked deep in the souls of the ousted patrons of the
Stonewall Inn. Infuriated at their unjust treatment, they began to
fight back. One incensed patron uprooted a parking meter and used
it to barricade the door of the bar. The police and agents were now
trapped inside the bar. Outside the angry crowd grew, while the
police waited anxiously inside and called for reinforcements. For
three days following this confrontation, people rioted in the
streets in the name of gay liberation. The hidden rage of the gay
and lesbian community surfaced. Many people funneled their anger
into political action with organized groups. In 1970, marches were
held in New York and Los Angeles on the anniversary of the
uprising. These marches became the first Gay Pride remembrances and
celebrations. The Stonewall Rebellion is now seen as the catalyst
of the modern-day gay and lesbian liberation movement. This June,
the 28th Gay Pride Month was in full force. Major events and
parades occurred all over the country, garnering significant media
attention. "June as Gay Pride month helps people remember the
historical signifigance of a very important event." explains Jim
Babl, a psychologist with Student Psychological services who has
conducted coming-out workshops. Bable explains that it is helpful
for gays and lesbians to bring their parents and friends to large
public events, allowing them to see the diversity in the gay
community. "The West Hollywood Gay Pride Parade is the third
largest in the state. There are teachers and religious groups
represented, it’s very impressive," Bable said. "Gay and lesbian
people are the only minority in America that aren’t raised by their
own." said Steven Leider, UCLA student and LGBT volunteer. "These
events give people the opportunity to see how large and diverse the
gay and lesbian community is." June and the Stonewall Rebellion
play a significant role in the history of the gay liberation
movement, but according to Outcalt, Gay Pride Month has many
meanings. "What Gay Pride Month is really about now is the
gay-lesbian community creating traditions for themselves, a
celebration," Outcalt said. "October is Gay History Month and is
often more serious." Like most facets of UCLA, the LGBT Resources
Office and the UCLA gay community have a slightly slower pace
during the summer because of the reduced student body. On campus,
more events take place during Gay History Month in October. As June
comes to an end so do the official Gay Pride celebrations. These
celebrations are now on their 29th year and gaining in strength
every year. Previous Daily Bruin Story Going public , October 11,
1997