Jazmine Bjelland
Newton
Recently, the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) community received some happy news — the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is legal in all 50 states. And, while I’m thrilled about the news, I feel a need to talk about our future, and our past, as a community. I, and others in the community, are worried that with the historic news of marriage equality, momentum will be lost in our battle for our human rights. In our celebration, we need to remember our past and keep our focus on our future. And with this, I’d like to remind everyone what our history is.
On June 28, 1969, members of the LGBT community fought back against a police raid of the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York. During the 1960s (and earlier) gay bars were often the only safe haven for LGBT people — people who were often legally harassed and imprisoned for their sexuality. This bar especially was patronized by the most marginalized members of our community — poor and homeless youth, transgender men and women, drag queens and LGBT People of Color. Though it was a favorite meeting space, people should not be misled, the Stonewall Inn was an awful place, dirty and unsafe (the bar had no fire exists), but it was also one of the only places for so many of our people then. Unfortunately, it was, along with most gay bars at the time, familiar with police raids. June 28, 1969 was the night of another raid — and the spark of a revolution. Tired of the constant harassment, LGBT patrons violently fought back after being detained and arrested. The night ended with the Stonewall up in flames, but it also ended with the beginnings of a movement.
In remembering that night, and the nights that came after, we shouldn't forget the heroes of our liberation, such as Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson — transgender Women of Color and activists of the LGBT community — or our future. Our fight started long before that night, and has had many victories (including our newest with marriage equality), but we have a lot more work to do. There are issues of homelessness among our youth, murder and suicide rates of our transgender brothers and sisters, and problems of racism within (and outside) our community, among others. Let's celebrate this victory, but let's not lose our momentum either. Let's celebrate the 46th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots by continuing the fight. This has always been a rebellion against oppression, don't be pacified. Talk about these problems. Volunteer in your community. Open your hearts, arms, and homes to those who have been victimized. Do what you can, big and small, but don't let anyone placate you. Marriage equality was a victory, but it was not the victory.