LGBTQ+ people have more rights and respect than ever before. Pride month is heavily commercialized, and we're seeing gay people in media at every turn! While there are many people to thank for those rights and representation, there's one fact that the community must face head-on: The history of the LGBTQ+ movement is largely whitewashed.
That's not to say that white people don't deserve credit for the movement's strides. But a lot of the progress happened on the backs of queer people of color, and they went unrecognized for decades.
Stonewall and the Importance of QPOC Presence
Queer individuals have heard about the story of Stonewall time and time again. There are even movies and dramatic recreations covering the events. But one thing that many depictions leave out is the role that QPOC played. If you are looking for latine queer dating app, visit this website.
Marsha P. Johnson, a black trans woman, is primarily thought to throw the first stone. Even after the events, Johnson was present in the movement going further. She joined other QPOC like Miss Major Griffin-Gracy and Stormé DeLarverie.
QPOC were instrumental in helping queer youth and pushing the movement forward. But their contributions are largely forgotten outside of black and latine queer dating groups. Why is that?
Forgotten Trailblazers
The exact reason for this unfortunate whitewashing is still up for debate. But many contributed it to the shift the gay rights movement experienced in the 90s. It went from being a radical, underground movement to one that focused on mainstream assimilation.
The goal was to prove that gay men and women could easily blend into society. Regrettably, that made minorities and trans people out of the mix.
There was a marked shift in leadership. It was no longer QPOC at the helm, but white, cis-gendered males that could appeal to the masses. Everyone who didn't fit that mold got left behind.
The Importance of Recognizing QPOC Contributions
While more and more people are waking up to the reality of whitewashed history, not enough is being done to protect queer people of color. While black, Asian, and latine queer dating is alive and well, racism still runs rampant.
Furthermore, QPOC are more likely to experience poverty, sexual violence, and HIV. Meanwhile, trans POC are dying due to violence at an alarming rate.
The whole start of the LGBTQ+ movement was about marginalized people banding together to demand a better life. It's high time that the community recognizes that those rights wouldn't be possible without people of color.
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