Pride Month, officially recognized in the U.S. since 1999, began as a response to the Stonewall Uprising of 1969. At that time, it was illegal in New York City to dress as the opposite sex, and a police raid at the Stonewall Inn sparked several days of protests. These events became a turning point for LGBTQ+ activism.
One year later, cities like New York, San Francisco, and Chicago held the first Pride parades to continue this movement. Over the years, more cities joined, and the cause expanded during the AIDS crisis and beyond. In recent decades, Pride Month has included not only protests but also celebration, visibility, and corporate support. It also marks key legal victories, such as the right to marry.
Vocabulary:
• uprising (noun): a public act of protest or rebellion
• raid (noun): a sudden attack, often by police
• masquerade (verb): to pretend to be someone else, often by dressing up
• patron (noun): a customer at a bar, restaurant, or other venue
• neighborhood (noun): a local area within a city or town
• activism (noun): efforts to promote or bring about social or political change
• visible (adj): able to be seen; not hidden
• march (noun): a walk by many people in support of a cause
• community (noun): a group of people with something in common
• crisis (noun): a time of serious difficulty or danger
• unifying (adj): bringing people together for a shared purpose
• declare (verb): to announce something officially
• recognition (noun): official acceptance or praise for something
• decision (noun): a conclusion or ruling made after discussion or thought
Source: CBS News