Why is Pride held in June? What were the Stonewall Riots?
The Stonewall Riots were a series of spontaneous demonstrations against a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn, in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City. The Stonewall Riots were one of the first times in American history when LGBT individuals fought back against the oppressive forces of the time, and the riots have become one of the defining events that sparked the modern gay rights movement in the United States. Pride events are now held annually throughout the world in June to commemorate this landmark event. 2010 will mark Capital Pride’s 35th Anniversary. Founded in 1975 by Deacon Maccubbin of Lambda Rising, Capital Pride has grown from a small block party to one of the largest pride celebrations in the country.
