June 2024 - Pride Month / Leadup to General Election

June is undoubtedly shaping to be a hectic month in more ways than one this year. Not only will this June be a month for fostering community (as we covered briefly during the introduction of International Yoga Day in 2023), but it will also be the month when the political landscape becomes alive in anticipation of an event that will determine the course of the UK for the next five years: the announcement of a general election.

As such, we will have a divisive double feature that will hopefully spark a healthy amount of controversy and light the fuse for exciting conversations!

What is Pride Month about?

Pride Month is an event celebrated annually in June and is a month-long observance dedicated to honouring and advocating for the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and others). It also commemorates the historical struggles, triumphant achievements and rich diversity of the community.

Although there are plenty of other historical events related to the origin of Pride Month, one of the most notable was the events at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, which we shall discuss today.

In the 20th century, Stonewall Inn was an average bar with frequent visits from its patrons. Meanwhile, police frequently conducted raids of "disorderly" premises per the orders of the State Liquor Authority. However, the vague excuse was just a coverup for more insidious activity. They were targeting places of refuge and safety as it was illegal to:

• serve any homosexual patrons

• display homosexuality publicly

• two homosexuals to dance together

While the bar appeared average on the outside, it was owned by an American mobster from the Genovese family member named Tony Lauria (nicknamed "Fat Tony"), who saw a lucrative opportunity to buy the property and turn it into a gay bar - driven by profit over clientele.

Stonewall Inn garnered a reputation for being perilous. Yet, it rapidly became one of the most popular go-to destinations in the community, as it was the only haven to relax. On several occasions, the Mafia also bribed top officials for the police department in exchange for "ignorance", usually in the form of intelligence regarding when bar raids were scheduled and to ignore activities within the club. To signal for a potential raid at the Stonewall Inn, the bar owners would often brighten the lights in the venue as an indication to patrons to stop whatever they were doing.

Stonewall Inn was fine until June 24th, 1969, when the club was not forewarned of a raid. Undercover police officers stormed the club with a warrant and went on to arrest working employees and individuals in drag. More officers began to arrive to help speed up the process of releasing the detained and to load the arrested in the back of a police van. Onlookers watched in horror and anger as individuals thought to be wearing drag were shoved into police vans with excessive force, which was one factor that caused tensions to escalate in the area into an uprising between the residents, the patrons and the police.

Four days later, in the early morning hours of June 28th, was supposedly when the uprising truly began in full force. The gathered crowd watched a butch lesbian (a term used to describe a masculine woman in the community) resist an arrest. As she was dragged, she made a desperate plea to the crowd that was watching at the time before being clubbed, which then spurred the crowd into an agitated frenzy. They proceeded to throw insults and hurl projectiles at the officers and the police truck rather than idly spectating after the brutal blow was delivered.

Who did the police detain? Is this what caused the outrage of the crowd outside of Stonewall Inn?

Unfortunately, historical recounts of the events differ about who was arrested. However, eyewitness accounts agree on the reason: a three-piece clothing law that meant you had to wear three items of clothing that matched your gender at birth.

Often, three people are suspected of being the first under arrest, all of whom are worth discussing in some detail due to their vigilance, dedication and activism.

The first and most credited in historical recounts as "throwing the first punch" is Stormé DeLarverie (1920-2014), a Black bi-racial lesbian and drag king entertainer who was the MC at The Jewel Box Revue. She held a state gun permit and constantly patrolled most of the sidewalks and lesbian bars, looking out for trouble with a strong distaste for what she called "ugliness".

The second is Marsha P. Johnson (1945-1992), a self-identified drag queen, activist and dedicated Christian who moved to New York with just 15 dollars and a bag of clothes after graduating high school. Living by what the "P" in her name stood for, she is well-known for her motto of "Pay It No Mind." She was among the many women featured in the "Ladies and Gentlemen" series, notably painted in 1975 by famous pop artist Andy Warhol.

Last but certainly not least, Sylvia Riveria (1951-2002) became Marsha's inseparable friend at a young age. Before the Stonewall riots, she participated in several fundamental movements, including the black liberation and peace movements. She was one of the people present during the whole six days of the riots and proudly claimed to have thrown the second Molotov cocktail during the riots - not the first, as often portrayed.

Word began to spread quickly about the surprise raid and the commotion all across New York. As the initial police squad left to escort the detained people, the growing crowd forced the initial raiding police party to retreat into Stonewall for safety as the crowd started to ram the barricaded door with a parking meter and began to fling beer bottles, trash and firebombs in defiance.

In turn, the police requested the help of the city's riot police. As they marched towards the protestors, many began to outsmart them by circling and ending up behind the officers. Thankfully, nobody on either side of the conflict was critically injured during the first night of the riots.

The very next day, the 29th, Stonewall reopened before dusk of the following night. This time, a plywood panel (scrawled with words of defiance) was placed over the shattered window, and no alcohol was to be served. Even still, a crowd of supporters appeared outside the Inn and began chanting to support the patrons. This commotion leads to the police and riot squads being called to the scene yet again to disperse the crowd with tear gas and force.

The police were then again called to the scene but arrived with the aid of the riot police from the get-go to disperse the crowd with tear gas and force. This continued until the early hours of the following day, when the large crowd of supporters dispersed from outside the Inn.

The mood was less tense during the next two nights as gay activists gathered again outside of Stonewall to take advantage of the aftermath, sharing what had transpired over the last few days and distributing pamphlets to awareness of the issues surrounding Mafia-run gay bars. While police also returned to the area, tensions lessened, and only a handful of more minor fights broke loose.

While this was taking place, several articles by the local newsletters caused unrest due to their derogatory language and biased reporting over what had taken place at Stonewall. Most notably, an article was written by Lucian King Truscott IV and Howard Smith for The Village Voice (a local news outlet) that caused yet another uproar due to the derogatory language and biased views on what had happened. So much so that protestors rushed to the paper's office.

What was the impact?

New York and beyond became fascinated by the uprising at Stonewall, which drove more attention to the gay rights movement. Many organisations became the centre of attention, such as:

• The Gay Liberation Front (GLF) was founded in July 1969 in response to the Stonewall Riots. Their radical approaches emphasised direct action and solidarity with other social movements at the time. The events at Stonewall also led to the formation of many branches in the UK.

• The Gay Activists Alliance (GAA) was founded by a few former members of the GLF who wanted to focus more on LGBTQ+ issues rather than broader social issues. Their activism was more strategic and included lobbying for legal reforms.

• Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) was founded by both Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson in 1970 to support transgender and homeless LGBTQ+ youth. It provided shelter, food and advocacy on the needs of the most marginalised members of the LGBTQ+ community.

• The Mattachine Society predates Stonewall's activities but was one of the earliest LGBTQ+ rights groups in the United States at the time.

• Daughters of Bilitis (DOB) was established as a secret social club in 1955. As they gradually recruited members, their focus pivoted to becoming more politically involved, speaking on behalf of lesbian women who were afraid of constant harassment.

• Radicalesbians was also founded by former members of the GLF in 1970. Their focus was on challenging mainstream feminism and the male-dominated gay rights movement.

Aside from giving organisations publicity, Stonewall was also where the first Gay Pride parade started, unlike the traditional picket protests. On the first anniversary of the police raid on the Stonewall Inn, many gay activists in New York organised the Christopher Street Liberation March. This march was routed towards Central Park, and many supporters watching from the sidelines began tagging along with the parade.

Does it still matter?

Of course! This year marks the 55th anniversary of the events at the Stonewall Inn and the surrounding streets. Pride parades today are celebrations of identity and community and powerful reminders of the ongoing struggle for acceptance, rights, and equality for all LGBTQ+ individuals - which was what the Stonewall Riots were all about.

Today, we would not think twice about the severity of the riot. Still, the residents of Christopher Street saw the opportunity to take the upper hand over fear and injustice and demonstrate what it truly means to be adamant, chase after the passions of the heart, cherish, and live as one pleases, which was tough to do without being on guard and glancing back over one's shoulder.

The 7.7 acres surrounding the Stonewall Inn also saw displays of action and affection during the uprising, which is why the 44th president of the United States (Barack Obama) declared them a national monument in 2016.

In the UK, LGBTQ+ activities have similarly flourished, reflecting the same spirit of activism and celebration that began with Stonewall. One of the most prominent events is Pride in London, an annual parade and festival that brings together thousands of people from diverse backgrounds to celebrate LGBTQ+ culture and advocate for equal rights. This vivid event includes a colourful parade through central London, live performances, speeches from activists and politicians, and numerous community-led activities.

Beyond London, many other UK cities host their Pride events, such as Manchester Pride, Brighton & Hove Pride, and Birmingham Pride. These events also feature parades, concerts, and cultural activities to create an inclusive space for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies to unite in solidarity and celebration.

The Stonewall charity in the UK, founded in 1989, was not directly connected to the riots of 1969 in New York City but was formed in 1989 as a response to Section 28 of the Local Government Act. The name "Stonewall" was deliberately chosen to honour the legacy of the Stonewall riots and to signify the charity's commitment to fighting for LGBT rights and equality. This charity has played a part in almost every critical development in the UK for LGBTQ+ laws and regulations and continues to strive for change today close to home.

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The current prime minister of the UK, Rishi Sunak, has declared that a General Election will take place on July 4th. Currently, there are no MPs within the House Of Commons.

As it has recently been announced, we would like to summarise what a General Election is and why voting is a big deal.

What is a General Election?

These must be held every 5 years, as per law under the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022. This states:

If it has not been dissolved earlier, a Parliament dissolves at the beginning of the day that is the fifth anniversary of the day on which it first met.

They can also be called earlier if the prime minister requests for a dissolution of Parliament and to call a general election.

During a General Election in the United Kingdom, the country is temporarily divided into 650 separate areas, each known as a constituency. Each constituency votes to elect one Member of Parliament (MP) from a group of candidates to represent it in the House of Commons. These candidates can be endorsed by various political parties with matching goals and ideas or can opt to run "independently".

This is where we hear about the known primary parties, aliases, and political standings, which can make understanding political happenings slightly more confusing than necessary.

Before we continue, let us briefly explain the political origins of some of these terms and give a brief rundown of each known party:

Where did the political standings come from, and what do they mean?

Initially inspired by the seating arrangement of politicians during the French Revolution in the 18th century, the terms "left," "right," and "centre" referred to the division of the French National Assembly in which those in favour of the monarchy sat to the right and those in favour of a revolution sat on the left.

Since then, they have been widely adapted to political structures worldwide, such as in the UK, where these terms are loosely used to describe the following political traits of each party:

Left-wing: The "left" typically advocates for social equality, government involvement in the economy to address inequality and maintenance of the welfare state. This system encompasses initiatives like the National Health Service (NHS), free public education, benefits, and pensions, all aiming to provide citizens with essential support, adequate services, and equal opportunities.

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Centre-wing: The "centre" are advocates for balance. They support ideas from both the left and right wings and aspire to find the best compromise, such as a mixed economy containing elements of a free market and government intervention when necessary. They also support evidence-based policymaking, intending to understand the causes of critical aspects that are successful or require improvement.

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Right-wing: The "right" typically advocates for individual liberty, free-market principles, and limited government intervention in public affairs. They believe privatising public services will reduce waiting times for high-demand services and help manage other important administrative aspects.

Known Parties Explained

Several parties compete for seats in the House of Commons, each with its unique platform and policies. Here are the primary parties with their historically assigned nicknames:

• Conservative Party (Tories): Traditionally centre-right, focusing on free-market policies, national security, and reducing government spending.

• Labour Party: Centre-left, advocating for social justice, workers' rights, and public ownership of key services.

• Liberal Democrats (Lib Dems): Centrist, promoting civil liberties, electoral reform, and environmental sustainability.

• Scottish National Party (SNP): Centre-left, primarily focused on Scottish independence and progressive policies.

• Green Party (Greens): Emphasises environmental issues, social justice, and sustainability.

With the basic terminology explained, let's discuss why voting at this stage is significant. The party that has control over the most constituencies forms the government, and if a party gains the majority of 236 seats or more, it can form a government outright with no contest. If you are eligible to vote, you can contribute to the formation of a government in some small degree.

For example, in 2017, Stephen Gethins, a candidate on behalf of the Scottish National Party, managed to secure a seat in the constituency of Fife North-East and came out on top. He beat another candidate, Elizabeth Riches of the Liberal Democrats, with 13,743 votes. It was a close competition, but the Scottish National Party secured that constituency with a two-vote difference.

The two-vote result

A hard-won battle for equality

Now, imagine what would have happened if the votes from all females were removed from that close total to decide an MP for that constituency. Would the outcome still have been the same, or more importantly, would the result be considered fair?

No woman was allowed to vote in parliamentary elections before 1918. The struggle for women's suffrage was also marked by many decades of activism, protests, and perseverance similar to that displayed during Stonewall. Women from various backgrounds united to demand the same right to vote as men, who excluded them from the democratic process.

At the outbreak of World War I in 1914, many women contributed significantly to the war effort, taking on roles traditionally held by men who had gone to fight. Their indispensable contributions further highlighted the injustice of their exclusion from the electoral process. As a result, public opinion began to shift gradually, and the government faced increasing pressure to address the issue of women's suffrage.

After much pressure, 1918 was the year the Representation of the People Act was passed in the United Kingdom. This approved bill granted the right for women over 30 to put a cross on a piece of paper and vote. While this was a monumental step forward in the right direction, women had to meet specific criteria, and many women still were unable to vote equally due to age or lack of property ownership. An entire decade later, with the passage of the Equal Franchise Act in 1928, women in the UK finally achieved equal voting rights to men, which allowed every woman over the age of 21 to vote regardless of irrelevant criteria.

Two groups of women, the suffragists and suffragettes, helped make this possible. Each had its own unique methods for drawing attention to the fact that women could not vote.

Who were the suffragists?

The first were the "suffragists". They were members of groups who advocated for women's suffrage through peaceful and lawful deeds, firmly believing that change would come over time.

They thought that the ability for females to vote would arrive through the strategic and patient implementation of traditional constitutional methods, as this would help garner the support of political figures and the public. These methods included peaceful protests, petitions, and lobbying.

Millicent Fawcett often comes to mind when discussing the suffragists' efforts - and for a good reason. She led one of the country's most prominent organisations, the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS). As an excellent strategist, Millicent also worked closely with the Labour Party to endorse a separate suffrage bill.

During the war effort of 1914, Millicent also suspended NUWSS activity relating to women's suffrage and redirected attention to supporting other organisations that were helping war victims.

Who were the suffragettes?

The latter were the "suffragettes" who followed the motto "Deeds not words". They were members of groups that advocated for women's suffrage through extreme, militant, and unlawful actions, firmly believing that immediate action was the path towards an immediate outcome.

They thought that the ability for females to vote would only arrive through the aggressive and urgent disruption of traditional constitutional methods, as this would force the hand of political figures and grab the public's attention.

The most famous suffragette organisation was the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), founded by members of the Pankhurst family, notably Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters. When imprisoned, suffragettes continued their protest by staging hunger strikes.

The government became concerned with the public uproar surrounding the determination of jailed suffragettes as well as the tactics used to restrain and force-feed them. As a hasty solution, this gave way to a legal loophole through the 1913 Prisoners Act. This allowed the early release of prisoners who were either severely ill or weak by hunger strikes that could be considered a risk to life.

The catch was that these women were closely watched and then re-arrested for some of the most trivial reasons, thereby allowing the suffragettes to continue with the lawful equivalent as a slap on the wrist. Because of its selective enforcement, this act earned the nickname "The Cat and Mouse Act" - likened to a cat's habit of toying with their prey.

One of the suffragettes' most well-known actions was Emily Davidson's fatal protest during the prestigious 1913 Epsom Derby. As the horses rounded one of the corners towards the home stretch, Davidson ducked under the guard railing she was watching from and stepped onto the track, her intentions unknown. Four seconds after setting foot onto the racecourse and reaching towards the reigns of an oncoming horse, she was violently struck by "Anmer" - a horse coincidently owned by King George V and ridden by jockey Herbert Jones.

Most of the crowd was stunned (including the King and Queen, who were featured on several rolling cameras). Many went onto the tracks to see the aftermath of the tragedy and check on Emily, Hubert, and the horse.

The consequences of the collision resulted in the jockey receiving minor injuries after being caught in one of the stirrups as the horse rolled over him, but he survived.

Davidson was not as fortunate. She was severely injured and taken to the nearby hospital, where she remained unconscious. She tragically died four days later, on the 8th of June.

In the eyes of the public, her action was perceived in two ways:

1. as a martyr for the suffragette cause, as she was willing to risk her own life to be heard

2. as a reckless public nuisance, as she caused harm to the unknowing jockey

Although her actions proved to be polarising to the public, her actions certainly helped the efforts of both the suffragettes and the suffragists in equal measure.

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Discussion Points for Democracy, Diversity and Tolerance

• Do you think Stonewall was a riot or an uprising? Is there any reason as to why?

• Is it worth breaking laws in the name of intolerance? To what degree?
  

• Should politics be more comprehensive?

• Is there a party (or individual) that campaigns for the same values that mean the most to you?

• Do you know what your local constituency is called?

• Should it be made mandatory to vote in a General Election? Can you think of any other occasions where this already exists?