Proud

Today's a big day.

Some of you know.

40 years ago today, a bunch of misfits in a bar made a lot of noise when the folks who were there to serve and protect (whom?) got rough with them. For two days, a bunch of other people joined them, and a bunch of other people watched. A year later, the first Gay Pride marches happened to commemorate the event. And so, many folks argue, the modern LGBT rights movement was born.

I had, like, a million things to say about this, but I realized I was approaching it like a sermon, looking for a moral. I don't have a moral. I'm queer and out and grateful, and there are lessons to be learned from Stonewall and the more recent battles and our righteous disappointment, but I am unable to pick just one, and who am I to tell you what your lessons should be, anyway?

So, then, a few links for more reading, for those who are interested.

• The Wikipedia version
• An eyewitness account
• Frank Rich's acknowledgement of, among other things, what hasn't changed

And a few questions for folks who feel like having a conversation in the comments. You obviously don't have to answer all of these; pick what strikes your fancy:

• Did you think about Stonewall today (or yesterday)? What did you think about Stonewall today or yesterday?
• Do you remember Stonewall? Tell us a story.
• Do you remember any big queer awarenesses? That you were, that I was, that civil rights matter? Tell us about it.
• Are you mad at Barack Obama? More or less mad than you were at Bill Clinton? Tell us about it.
• What are you celebrating today?
• What are you mourning?
  
• Who are your queer heroes, and why? If you don't have any queer heroes, why? You can't just pick me. (Note I said, "just.")
  
• Why haven't you found me a nice girl yet?