Police sexually assaulted trans women and lesbians and beat patrons.
In June 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular LGBTQ bar in New York. Two days later, Tony McDade, a Black trans man, was shot and killed by police in Tallahassee, Florida. Lo Roberts, president and CEO of Pride Houston, mourned with the rest of the nation after learning that George Floyd took his last breath while a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee into his neck. This year, Pride marches are getting back to those roots as participants stand alongside Black and brown queer and trans people, who are still fighting for equality on two fronts. And Black and Latina trans women were leading figures in the early days of the LGBTQ rights movement, most notably Marsha P. But its history is rooted in resistance, protest and demands for equal rights. Pride month in recent years has often been associated with celebrating LGBTQ identity and community with rainbows, partying, corporate solidarity and parades. Let’s stay here and let’s keep everyone talking about it.” - Dom Johnson I feel like I woke up in the Twilight Zone. “Everyone is talking about social unrest, racial justice and police brutality.
