Posted: 2022-06-28 09:45:34
Good Morning Purple World
Facts about Pride:
Why is today such a significant day in the hearts of LGBTQ persons and how does it impact us a queer culture and our movement politically?
Stonewall Inn was famous for hosting LGBTQ patrons and for many queer people to find refuge in one of the only bars that allowed same sex engagement and dancing.
The 1960s was a terribly rife time for homosexual people and same sex relations was illegal. A lot of people in the community were ostracized and a lot of adolescents were run aways due to the abuse not just within society, but at home.
There was an early morning raid on 28th June 1969, fortunately, there were no deaths on that day but many were ruffled up and 13 people were arrested.
A male officer forced a lesbian woman into a van and hit her over the head, which fueled the riot, which continued for a further 5days. This also was the beginning of many lgbtq movements.
Why is something that happened ages ago still so significant today?
There are so many countries who still execute lgbtq persons. South Africa is only one of 5 African countries that have legalized LGBTQ rights. Yet even in our own backyard, we continue to suffer at the hands of homophobia and transphobia.
In many rural areas and townships, corrective rape is so common, it is desensitized amongst the community. Violence towards different people is a way of life in certain communities. Many of our people continue to live in fear. Many are thrown out of their homes, but are first brutally beaten and raped by ALL male family members included.
I have dedicated the last few years to joining several different groups by being a voice for the voiceless and one voice is just not enough.
We need more than that, we need allies. Yes our constitute is lovely and one of the finest in the world, but activism and change starts on the ground.
We can look to the Stonewall Riots as inspiration and a testament of that.
May we unite and celebrate one another today, but honour those before us and continue to do the work for those after us.
May we keep those who have passed on and those who may be at the hands of harm in our hearts today.
Sending you all Love
Ps. If you need or know of anyone who needs support, do NOT hesitate to reach out. If I can not personally help, I will direct you to the channels that can.