Pride is a protest

In the first workshop we focused on the Pride movement as a protest.

Pride began as a response to the June 28, 1969, police raid at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, which sparked days of protests and riots against discriminatory policing. To mark the one-year anniversary, activists held the first "Christopher Street Liberation Day" march on June 28, 1970, which is considered the first Gay Pride march.

Stonewall has been described as the Rosa Parks moment for gay rights. And just as Ms Parks' refusal to give up her seat on a bus in Alabama to a white man had the effect of animating the civil rights movement 14 years before, so Stonewall electrified the push for gay equality.

Oh look how far we've come!

by Jane Gregory

Oh look how far we've come
We are free now
No need to run
No need to hide
This passion and love we have inside
We can show, we can glow

The guys and dolls of time gone by
Shed many a tear because society was mortified of the love we shared
Because we dared to care

The struggle has been real an uphill battle
The war wounds still live on
But now we are strong
Free to marry kiss who we want

Some are still shocked to see us in frocks or leathers and chains they're at it again

I know it can look quite insane
But it's fun we are seeking
Everyone's nipples need tweaking
We just want to be free
To live happily
In a peaceful world, in harmony