Police officers would enter, threaten and beat the bar staff and clientele. It wasn’t unusual for police to raid gay bars in Manhattan in the 60s and almost all the raids followed the same template. How a police raid on a bar ignited the modern LGBTQ+ movement? Let’s take a look back at how it started and what is its history: In the last more than 50 years since the first Pride Month was celebrated in the United States, the month-long celebration of love, acceptance, diversity, and self-pride has become a global phenomenon. The month also commemorates the sacrifices made by the LGBTQ+ community in becoming a legally and socially accepted people from being considered criminals who were imprisoned, treated with chemical castration, social ostracisation and labeled as sex offenders for life. What started from the United States in 1969 has since become a global symbol of celebrating and accepting identities. Come June, proud voices retell stories of courageous people for it is Pride Month, the month that became a thriving memorial of struggles and victories of the LGBTQ+ community. Come June, there is a different hue in the sky that spells freedom as flags of rainbow colours become more prominent in public places.
