Summers indicate a time to celebrate and to rejoice. And for the LGBT members of the US, Europe, and the rest of the world it is the time to display their pride as non-heterosexual individuals. These celebrations are always a loud, showy, and exhilarating time for those who eagerly visit the festivities in some of the best cities in the world: Paris, NYC, Cologne, Munich, Barcelona, San Francisco, London etc. They are celebrations of Human Rights and Identity and the freedom to be who you are. Yet, the CSD parades and Gay Pride parties of 2009 had even more to chant about this year. For, this summer marked the 40th anniversary of the first moment in history when the homosexual community stood up against government-sponsored groups for the sake of non-hetero minorities: STONEWALL.

The Stonewall riots occurred in late June 1969 as the homosexual community in Greenwich Village in NYC spontaneously rioted against the all-too-frequent police raids against homosexual activities. The Stonewall Inn, at the time, was a location that many men in drag, homosexuals, and other non-hetero groups frequented during the 60s. After too many raids from the police, the community retaliated in demonstrations that brought the community together and stood as another great beacon of human rights movements that marked the 60s in American society.

So as the participants of the CSD parades and other gay pride movements danced their hearts away this summer, it was in memory of those who lurched the world a step forward towards total equality and tolerance. They celebrated another great anniversary from a time of great change. They sung in euphoria and in amazement at the great progress they have made since 1969: “STONEWALL 40 YEARS AND MORE!”