Pride is a Protest

A Brief History of the Movement That Changed the World

Every June, we see rainbow flags flying, parades marching, and celebrations erupting in every color of the spectrum. But Pride didn’t start as a party—it started as a protest. And, according to legend, it may have even started with a brick.

Let’s go back to the night that sparked a movement.

The Stonewall Uprising: June 28, 1969

In the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn—a gay bar in New York City's Greenwich Village. Raids like this were common at the time. Being openly gay, dressing in gender-nonconforming clothes, or simply gathering in LGBTQ+ spaces was criminalized. But that night, something changed.

The patrons of Stonewall had had enough.

Legend has it that someone threw a brick at the NYPD who were raiding Stonewall—a symbol of resistance instigating an uprising. They resisted arrest. They fought back. The crowd grew. Tensions exploded into five days of protests in the streets. For the first time, the LGBTQ+ community stood together in a way the world couldn’t ignore.

Enter Marsha P. Johnson

Many stories credit Marsha P. Johnson, a Black trans woman and activist, with throwing the first brick at Stonewall—but Marsha herself said she arrived after the uprising had already begun. That doesn’t diminish her impact.

The P in Marsha P stands for “Pay No Mind.” She was a force of nature throughout the ’70s and ’80s—bright smile, flower crowns, and fierce advocacy for LGBTQIA+ rights. Marsha co-founded STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries) with Sylvia Rivera to protect unhoused queer youth and trans women of color.

STAR was among the first U.S. groups focused on the needs of transgender, gender-nonconforming, and unhoused LGBTQ+ youth. They provided shelter, food, and support through the STAR House in New York City. While the original STAR is no longer active, its legacy lives on through organizations like the Sylvia Rivera Law Project and the Marsha P. Johnson Institute.

From Protest to Pride

Stonewall wasn’t the first act of LGBTQ+ resistance, but it lit the fire that ignited the Pride movement as we know it today. One year later, in 1970, the first Pride marches took place in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

Today, PRIDE is both celebration and remembrance—a space to honor those who paved the way, fight for those still at risk, and build a world where love and identity are never criminalized.

The Stonewall Inn still stands as both a functioning bar and a powerful symbol of LGBTQIA+ resistance and resilience. It was designated a U.S. National Monument in 2016—the first in American history to honor LGBTQ+ rights.

Pride Is Still a Protest

It’s easy to get caught up in the rainbows and confetti (and we love that, too!), but Pride is rooted in resistance. Many of the rights we have today were won because people like Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and countless others refused to be silent.

That’s why we keep showing up. Pride may have started with an uprising, possibly a brick. But it was carried by courage, community, and the fierce belief that we all deserve to exist freely and fully.

Want to Learn More?

Explore more resources and organizations that continue this work: The Stonewall Riots (History.com), The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson, The Trevor Project, Trans Lifeline, GLSEN, Marsha P. Johnson Institute, Sylvia Rivera Law Project.

Key Takeaways

Pride began as an act of resistance led by LGBTQIA+ people—especially trans women of color—who refused criminalization and harassment. The Stonewall Uprising in 1969 catalyzed a broad movement for safety, dignity, and equal rights that continues today.

Roots: Pride’s origin is protest, not party; celebration honors that history. Leadership: Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and others organized for unhoused and trans communities. Ongoing work: Legal protections, healthcare access, and safety remain uneven. How to help: Learn, donate, volunteer, vote, and show up for those most impacted.

Shop & Support

Curious about what the flags represent? Don’t miss our post breaking down the meaning behind each LGBTQIA+ flag. And if you’re looking for a way to wear your pride proudly, we offer more than 20 Pride flag pins to help you express your identity or show support.

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