Juneteenth & Pride Month

Juneteenth & Pride Month

Whether the current Presidential administration likes it or not, June remains the month when undervalued people of the nation stay loud and proud. The month represents a time when we acknowledge, appreciate, and celebrate the Black culture and queer culture. Though our stories and history may differ, we do share some common themes, and it is fitting that we can celebrate together.

What Juneteenth Is

This day in history reflects Emancipation Day 1865 for enslaved Africans in America, first celebrated one year later, on this day in 1866. This marked the end of over 250 years of slavery. The end of slavery was fueled by Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War, which lasted from 1861 to 1865. In Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, given on January 1st, 1863, he stated that “that all persons held as slaves are, and henceforward shall be free." So, if he gave the Proclamation on the first day of 1863, why do we celebrate it on Juneteenth? Well, it took all that time for news of the Executive Order to make its way and be implemented in the rest of the US. In some cases, some of the plantation owners did not let their slaves know that they were made free.

The final freedom came by General Order in Texas on June 19th, 1865, stating: “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and personal property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor.”

Not only does the date reflect that freedom finally came to all in the US, but it also serves as a reminder of the atrocities of human oppression and the continued struggle of the Black community to gain equality and be acknowledged for its part in American history. As we know, treatment towards Black folk did not magically change, and the community continues to fight against racism and hatred. It is dumbfounding how those in power continue trying to eradicate slavery and the plight of the Black people from our history books and teachings.

Juneteenth and The Queer Community

The queer presence in fighting for equality and acknowledgment was ignited by the Stonewall Riots in June of 1969. At the forefront of those riots and the entire movement moving forward was Marsha P. Johnson, a Black, transgender woman who was an activist and performer. She remained a vocal and instrumental voice of the queer community until her tragic death in 1992. Her body was found floating in the Hudson River and initially labelled as a homicide; community uprising reopened the case. Together with Sylvia Rivera, they started STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries) supporting trans sex workers and LGBTQ+ youth who were on the streets. In 1987, Marsha became an important AIDS activist with ACT UP.

So, yes, June is all about Civil Rights. Inequities exist when it comes to access to life, liberty, and happiness. And, as we are witnessing, history has a way of repeating itself, and many Americans are finding their equal rights and visibility being put into question. This is why celebrating our movements and histories is so important.

As our queer community celebrates Pride Month, we have to acknowledge that it wouldn't have any footing if Juneteenth did not happen, forcing the government and the nation to recognize that equality is a right of all Americans.

Questions? Comments? Email us at [email protected]
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.