The Stonewall Rebellion is arguably where the inspiration for gays taking over public space and to this day, the people, or at least those The Link talked to, still believe the pride parade to be one of the last vestiges of politics in the queer community.

The weekend of June 27-29, 1969 was a landmark in queer history—it was the first time the queers turned the tables on the oppressive authorities and fought back. After countless police raids in gay bars and consistent taunting, harassment and abuse of human rights, the queers had had enough—especially the drag queens, butch lesbians, and queers of colour, who got the brunt of the abuse because of their appearance.

On Saturday morning, the patrons of Greenwich Village’s The Stonewall Inn were once again ejected from the bar. Many drag queens locked up in paddy wagons had had enough. Summer heat rose like fists in the hearts of these patrons and someone threw the first punch. The patrons were soon throwing coins at the cops, in a symbolic gesture of the corruption the police were benefiting from with these raids.

The riots ushered on a new era of political struggle. Gay Pride was born and ever since, understandably, the pride events are a reminder of these struggles, gains and losses. Almost 40 years have passed since those muggy early morning takeovers. The ambiguousness of having a Pride Parade this year has lead some members of the queer community to question whether or not Montreal still has politics. In the face of the fact that homosexuality is still punishable by death in many countries, a parade seems to have become a luxury that businesses can do away with.

Excerpt

-----------------------------------------------------

More on The Stonewall Rebellion:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1794584/posts
Brief history of the modern childlove movement