Remembering Iconic Queer Women Activists
Today I woke up, and it is the first day of June. For me, June represents a variety of different things. For one, I consider it to be the start of summer (even though that’s technically June 20), I think of my brother’s wedding that is happening in just a few days, and I think of Pride Month. Pride Month is a time for when people are unapologetically themselves. It is also a time of remembering the Stonewall riots that occurred at the end of June in 1969 and commemorates the importance of LGBTQ people. It is dedicated to uplifting the voices of LGBTQ+ people who have been historically marginalized and oppressed and those who have lost their voices to HIV/AIDS.
It wasn’t until recently that I learned about the Stonewall Uprising of 1969. The Stonewall uprising is considered to be one of the most important events for the gay liberation events in the twentieth century for the fight for LGBTQ history. In the early morning of June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, which was a popular gay bar in NYC’s West Village, but patrons fought back. The uprising continued for days. In 2015, it was hailed as a national landmark by President Barack Obama. Pride Month commemorates the movements that have taken place in order to raise awareness against the injustices against LGBTQ people.
There are so many queer activists who are influential to the LGBTQ+ movement. History is a deeply personal thing. I am still learning and researching. And remembering. For me, here are three important queer activists who I consider to be influential to the fight for LGTBQ+ rights.
1. Audre Lorde
Audre Lorde was a Black lesbian writer, feminist, and civil rights activist who was instrumental for gay liberation at the end of the twentieth century. She was self-described as a “Black, lebsian, mother, warrior, poet” and dedicated her writing to fighting against inequalities such as racism, sexism, classism, capitalism, and homophobia. Her writing today is still highly influential due to her passion in fighting for lesbian feminism and racial issues. Not only did she dedicate her life to challenging these oppressions, she also used her creativity to allow for other people to use her writings to also join the fight for civil rights and Black and gay liberation. Her feminist theories are still used today and referenced in higher education classrooms.
2. Sylvia Rivera
Sylvia Rivera was an American gay liberation and transgender rights activist. Along with Marsha P. Johnson, Rivera founded the radical activist street group known as the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries, also known as S.T.A.R, which was dedicated to helping gay and trans youth who had been left homeless. She was also a self-identified drag queen. Rivera was dedicated to fighting for the rights of transgender people, especially transgender people of color, up until her passing in 2012. Not many people know of Rivera, even though she occupied a unique space in LGBTQ history. She is a prominent figure in regards to her fight for trans youth who had been left homeless, and she dedicated her life to show that even within the LGBTQ movement, there was a need for people who did not fit into the mainstream.
3. Marsha P. Johnson
Marsha P. Johnson, whose middle name stood for “pay it no mind,” was an American gay activist and self-identified drag queen. Not only was Johnson was known for being an outspoken gay advocate for gay rights, but was also a founding member of the Gay Liberation Front, an AIDS activist with ACT UP, and co-founded S.T.R.A.T. Johnson was one of the prominent figures during the Stonewall uprising of 1969, who resisted arrest and is often credited for throwing the first punch, and then led several protests following demanding rights for LGBTQ people. Marsha’s legacy lives on today through organizations such as the Marsha P. Johnson Institute which is dedicated to “protecting and defending the human rights of Black transgender people.”
This is by no means a comprehensive list, and I spent a long time debating who I wanted to write about. To me, this is not even the tip of the iceberg of the many contributions that LGBTQ+ have fought for. But I believe that remembering and educating yourself on the history of the civil rights movement is one small way to celebrate Pride Month. We have seen so far in 2021 that the world is far from perfect, but thanks to the many who have fought and died for LGBTQ rights, we come closer to living in a world that is empathetic and beautiful because of all the different people who inhabit this planet.
Other ways to celebrate Pride Month:
Educate yourself. The first step, and arguably one of the most important steps, is educating yourself on the history of Pride Month and the fight against oppressions and inequalities against LGTBQ people. Remembering who and what got us here is important, because it tells us how to move forward.
March! During June, there are plenty of parades and marches that happen in order to celebrate the individuality and joy of LGTBQ members. Consider googling what is happening in your local area, or go into the city to enjoy a planned march with lots of love going around.
Donate. If you are able to, consider donating to organizations that are dedicated to uplifting the voices and stories from members of the LGBTQ+ community.
