June is Pride month, along with Black Music Month, and while in past years the occasion was spent celebrating love with powerful marches and events, 2020 brings about a version of Pride that is sadly familiar and reflective of its origins. Let’s not forget, Pride began as a protest.
The timing of Pride month signifies the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots which began in late June of 1969. These riots were the result of continuous police raids of gay clubs in New York City and police violence targeting the LGBTQ+ community. In 1969, Black Trans women Marsha P Johnson, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, and more paved the way for the LGBTQ+ rights movement and led the Stonewall Uprising.
This year New York City Pride will host a virtual rally on June 26 by Black Trans activists Ashlee Marie Preston and actor Brian Michael Smith. Reclaim Pride, in solidarity with Black Lives Matter protests and marches, are re-naming the event “Queer Liberation March for Black Lives and Against Police Brutality.”
As we look at the past, present, and future of Pride, it is important to always remember Pride’s roots and the importance of inclusivity also within the LGBTQ+ community.
Sharing their message through music, tune in, turn up and be unapologetically you with the soundtrack of LGBTQ+ artists below.
Titus Burgess “Dance M.F.” (feat. Imani Coppola) (Tituss Ink)
Bright Light Bright Light “This Was My House” (YSKWN!)
Billy Porter “For What It’s Worth” (MRI)
Claud “Wish You Were Gay” (The Orchard Artist Services)
Yvie Oddly “Gigging” (Voss Music)
Tayls “Pop Tart (Queer Boy Small Town)” (LunaSea Media)
RuPaul “The Realness feat. Eric Kupper” (Ruco, Inc)
Gia Woods “EGO” (Disruptor Records / The Orchard Artist Services)
Pom Pom Squad “Red With Love” (4MC Multimedia LLC)
Blimes and Gab “Feelin’ It” (The Orchard Artist Services)
Kristine W “Star“ (Fly Again Music)
Big Freedia “I Heard” (Queen Diva Music)
The Blam Blams “Isabella” (LunaSea Media)
Pronoun “run” (Rhyme & Reason Records)
Kelly Hoppenjans “Growing My Hair” (LunaSea Media)
Noah Slee “Do That” (feat. FHAT) (Kautau Molia Manukia p/k/a Noah Slee)
Kadie Elder “First Time He Kissed a Boy” (Nordic Music Society)
Labi Siffre “It Must Be Love” (Demon Music Group Limited)
Slothrust “Double Down” (Dangerbird Records)
Cakes Da Killa “New Phone (Who Dis)” (Thirty Tigers)
God-Des & She “Love You Better” (Alicia Smith and Tina Gassen d/b/a God-des and She)
Niña Dioz “Último Perreo” (Nacional Records)
pineappleCITI “Lift Me Up” (Red Bull Records)
Javiera Mena “Flashback” (Meni)
Nakala “Do It Right” (Majestic Casual)
