A Police-Free Pride

Image by Mercedes Mehling

Looking back on the history of Pride month, many of us may know the story of the Stonewall Uprisings that ignited a wave of change and activism for the LGBTQ+ community. The Stonewall Inn was a well-known gay bar in New York City; however, homosexuality was considered a criminal offense throughout the 1960s. Until 1966, it was illegal in the state to serve alcohol to a gay person, leaving gay bars like the Stonewall Inn to serve without a liquor license. This resulted in police raids and arrests that directly impacted the LGBTQ+ community, maintaining a tense relationship with police.  

On June 28, 1969, the police raided the Stonewall Inn and interrogated its patrons, arresting “cross-dressers” and other more openly expressing queer people. While a routine raid like this was quite common, thousands of protestors returned to Stonewall for six days following the raid. 

The first Pride March took place on the first anniversary of the Stonewall Uprisings. Since then, there have been gradual strides of activism that led us to where we are today. As we go through Pride month in 2021 and approach NYC Pride, which is on June 27th, it’s crucial to look back at the history of Pride. We must acknowledge the work, dedication, and struggle from earlier members of the community that allow us to exist more freely today. 

It is equally as important to consider the police’s role in the history of Pride and the LGBTQ+ community’s strides toward change. The Stonewall Uprising began after a raid by police where gay people were discriminated against for openly expressing themselves with others in their community. Even now, over 50 years later, police still often target the queer community in numerous ways. 

According to a UCLA survey from 2015, many members of the LGBTQ+ community feel the police would be unhelpful if called for assistance, and an unfortunately large number of the community cited facing violence and discrimination at the hands of the police. The UCLA report states that 48 percent of LGBTQ+ victims of violence experienced police misconduct in 2013. Within the LGBTQ+ community, transgender men and women are often discriminated against by police. As an example, the same report references a transgender woman who was arrested in Boston for using the women’s restroom at a homeless shelter. 

Following a summer of protests for the Black Lives Matter movement, where many saw police employing violent tactics against protestors and fueling anger and frustrations for grieving communities, police are not welcome at this year’s Pride March in NYC. Discrimination against Black trans women specifically remains remarkably high. Taking into consideration the violence witnessed at last year’s BLM protests, paired with the fear from vulnerable communities who attend pride (including LGBTQ+ people of color), many say they would feel much safer without police presence.  

Pride should feel safe and welcoming for all. There is serious worry that police presence would hinder this welcoming environment and leave many feeling more unsafe. As written in an opinion essay from the NY Times, police are merely being asked to respect the boundaries of a vulnerable community. 

Since NYC Pride banned police from the event, there has been debate over whether this action discriminates against gay police officers who want to attend. It’s important to remember that all members of the LGBTQ+ community, including members of law enforcement and any ally who wants to celebrate Pride, is welcome to attend the event. It is armed officers who could incite fear or violence at the NYC Pride celebration that are not welcome, in hopes of ensuring all who attend feel comfortable able to freely celebrate such a personal and momentous event.  

By Maddy Fink

Journalism major and avid baker. Lover of yoga and a very dedicated plant mom.