This last year has been a difficult one for the LGBTQ+ community. From Florida to Idaho, state governments have done everything they can to restrict the rights of the community. However, this is why Pride Month exists.
On June 28, 1969, a movement began. Although Marsha P. Johnson is often named as the person who started the Stonewall rebellion, she didn’t arrive at the bar until 2 a.m., approximately 40 minutes after the rebellion started. It’s believed that Stormé DeLarverie was the spark that started it all after she fought back against a police officer that tried to arrest her. Despite Stonewall often being called a riot, DeLarverie saw it as something else.
“It was a rebellion, it was an uprising, it was a civil rights disobedience — it wasn’t no damn riot,” she said at a Stonewall Symposium.
For the last 24 years, other than from 2017 – 2019, the federal government has acknowledged June as Pride Month. The reason former president Bill Clinton chose June was as an acknowledgement to Stonewall.
Over the next 28 days, as people hold up signs about how we’re “going to hell,” remember how Johnson, DeLarverie and many others fought a police force for the ability to be themselves. Bigots will probably throw both words and rocks with no consequence, and there will likely be at least one with an AR-15. It pains me to say “be safe” 54 years after Stonewall, but it’s imperative that safety is the number one priority. Florida, Idaho, Tennessee, Montana, Texas and so many other states aren’t safe places right now, so make sure to go out in groups and stick by each other.
With a partial history and announcement to be safe out of the way, here’s the fun stuff. Although the Moscow community’s main pride event is in late August, there are some other events in the area to take part in.
There are multiple events happening up in Coeur D’Alene being put on by the North Idaho Pride Alliance. Pride in the Park is on June 3, there’s a tie-dye party on June 10 and then Pride on the Runway rounds out the month on June 29. More information can be found here.
If you’d rather celebrate in Washington, there’s also a lot going on in Spokane. The Spokane Pride Parade and Festival is on June 10 from noon to 6 p.m. at Riverfront Park. Information about all events can be found online.
Boise may not have their pride events until September, but just like up in Moscow, there’s nothing a short road trip can’t fix. Southern Idaho Pride is being held in Twin Falls from June 5 – 11. There are events daily, but the main event, Pride in the Park, is on June 10 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. More information about Pride in the Park, the 21+ afterparty and all other events can be found on the SIP website.
If you take part in any of these events, make sure to have fun and be safe, this goes for both the LGBTQ+ community and the allies that join them. Pride Month is a great time to celebrate the rights that so many people fought for, but the fight isn’t over. Be safe first, but, if necessary, also make a statement.
James Taurman-Aldrich can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @jamesaldrich25