by Kierra Johnson
Pride Month 2025 was chaotic from beginning to end, and while it may appear that current protests have nothing in common with the LGBTQ community, anti-fascist uprisings were the catalyst that started what is now known as Gay Pride. During this joyous month, when we celebrate the strength, beauty, and humanity of Queer and Trans people, it is also important to connect Queer liberation to the uprisings that are growing across the nation.
Marginalized communities have been demanding change in the relationship between police and their communities for decades, which is why protests against ICE during Pride month are very fitting. The Stonewall Riots, whose title has been decried by the Queer community who labeled it a “rebellion”, were a communal response to the police raid of a gay bar called Stonewall Inn in New York City. The rebellion which lasted for six days was a springboard for what is now known as Pride. Although current protests in L.A. and other cities are pushing back against the presence of ICE, the two events share the same motive, which was/is to protect vulnerable communities from police overreach.
It is also important to note that at the front of Queer liberation and anti-police movements, namely Stonewall, there have also been trans people, rebelling against oppressive forces. At this moment, when conservatives are also pushing anti-trans legislation and massive disinformation campaigns against Trans people, giving props to Trans people is mandatory. Forgetting to name those who have heavily contributed to liberation movements erases Trans identities at a time when Trans visibility is desperately needed to protect and normalize Trans people.
Now, every year, people have come together to commemorate this uprising, and while it has a different look than the rebellion that began the movement, the pioneering spirit of those who fought back at the risk of losing their freedom and their lives remains with the LGBTQ+ community. The colors of the Pride flag is beautiful, along with all of the people who gather to celebrate the lives of Queer and Trans people, and the movement for LGBTQ+ liberation is nowhere near its end. As we continue to support those who are fighting for members of their communities, let’s also remember that the struggle to protect vulnerable identities is always connected to more than one community. Pride is here for us to tap into the energy of a decades-old movement for the safety that oppressed people deserve and all month long, that energy should be the power source of June’s fun events. Happy Pride!