June is the time we celebrate our friends, family, and loved ones in the LGBTQ community and I am so blessed to have so many friends who have taught me about the history and struggles of people who have been trailblazers and educators for so many.
It is a time to reflect on the history of so many movements that have gotten us to this point, as well as the joy that exists and must be celebrated.
The Stonewall rebellion in New York City are a history that some, but far too few, know about. It began in the early morning of June 28, 1969 after a police raid of a gay bar in Greenwich Village. Days of clashes and police brutality led to what we now know as the contemporary gay liberation movement.
In addition to Stonewall, there are countless other examples, across the country and abroad, of brave men and women fighting for equality and acceptance in the face of blatant oppression and bigotry.
It is imperative that we remember the history and struggles that have been, and continue to be, important for providing an educational foundation for members of the LGBTQ community and those of us who support them.
However, what is equally important are the ways this community celebrates joy and resilience. I talk a lot about this with my friends and colleagues who write about Black politics. Sometimes it can feel like a never-ending stream of doom, gloom, racism, and attempts to erase our history and humanity. However, just like all groups who have survived brutal conditions, and still recognize the fights ahead, we can all agree there must be time for joy, for communion with one another, for laughter, and for an ability to connect and share experiences that strengthen bonds seen and unseen.
In that vein, I was delighted to attend “Cats: A Jellicle Ball” on Broadway a few months ago. Not only is Andre De Shields a national treasure, but being in a theater with men and women of all ages laughing and singing and dancing and shouting out as a release was so needed. To see primarily Black and Latino talent on stage coming in all shapes and sizes, trans and cis, young and old, felt like I was a part of history. At one point in the production (I don’t want to give away any of the surprises), there was a quiet moment when I and many others shed some tears. It was a catharsis of sorts for some and a moment of gratitude for others.
However you choose to celebrate Pride Month, I hope you stop for a moment of joy, reflection, and gratitude.
Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of the books “How to Build a Democracy: From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams” and “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream”; and co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.
