But, in Atlanta, you'd never know it. See, in ATL, Gay Pride is celebrated on Halloween weekend.
In Atlanta, due to "scheduling conflicts" of booking the location (okay, and a drought), Piedmont Park wasn't available in late June to coincide with Stonewall. Instead, the Pride Committee agreed with ATL to move it to Halloween. Atlanta, despite being the San Fran of the South, hasn't been great at hiding it's homophobia (see Atlanta Raids below).
Gay Pride festivals began because of the Stonewall Riots in 1969. The Stonewall Riots started with gay bar patrons being sick and tired of being treated like crap. According to civilrights.org, chants like, "gay power" were shouted.
Back in the day, all of those gay bars were owned by the Mob. And, can you imagine how demeaning it would have been to have your gay club owned and monitored by the Mob? Imagine, if you could, some guy in a suit telling you that you better not dance too close to someone else.
The Stonewall Riots sparked LGBT activism. It created not only a dialogue about equal rights and change, but the energy to make the change happen. Pride Festivals throughout the nation occur on the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. And, this year, there's even more cause to celebrate. A new law was passed in New York state accepting gay marriage! It occurred right smack dab near the anniversary of Stonewall, almost as a sign.
And, me? Yeah, I'm a staunch supporter of gay rights. I'd rather sit down with you over a nice cup of coffee and explain all of the reasons why I think it's so important. Long conversation short? I don't think any of us are free until all of us are free; love is love.
Here's Robert and I dressed up as bride and groom performing to bring attention to an Illinois Civil Unions law about to voted on as legislation.
So, this weekend -whatever your orientation- raise a glass in honor of gay pride, in recognition of self-love and acceptance. Remember: love is love, no "buts".
More reading for you:
New Legislation! http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/nyregion/the-road-to-gay-marriage-in-new-york.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp
Stonewall: http://www.civilrights.org/archives/2009/06/449-stonewall.html
Open Letter Re: Change of Pride Month: http://atlantapride.org/archives/79
Atlanta Raids: http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/lawsuit-police-erased-evidence-686253.html
