Pride X Rebel Nell
In the early hours of June 28, 1969, New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn under the premise that it was an unlicensed liquor establishment. Still, the police also attempted to arrest dozens of patrons because homosexual acts were illegal in the State of New York (and 48 other states—we see you, Illinois, the only safe haven in 1969) as was "masquerading" as a member of the opposite sex.
That night set off a series of demonstrations that would unify the gay community—sparking protests against draconian anti-gay laws and shedding light on the struggles of being gay in America.
A year later, gay activists would gather at the Stonewall Inn for the first Christopher Street Liberation March to cap off New York City's first Gay Pride Week. Over the next half-century, activists in other cities across the United States would organize gay pride celebrations and would eventually fuel gay pride movements across the globe.
Today, in the United States, it has evolved into a month-long celebration that encompasses the larger LGBTQ+ community. In 1999 President Bill Clinton was the first U.S. President to declare "Gay and Lesbian Pride Month." Later President Barack Obama would expand the observance to "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month."
Pride Month is an opportunity to recognize the contributions the LGBTQ+ community has made to society and culture and honor those we have lost. It is also a time to reflect on how much more work we need to do to protect and elevate the LGBTQ+ community.
One of the most oppressed groups among LGBTQ+ people is the transgender population. Of all the acts of violence against transgender people, nearly 70% of those are black transgender women.
The rainbow flag has become synonymous with LBGTQ+ pride, a symbol of the broad spectrum of human sexuality and gender. This year our Rebel Nell creative team layered the emblem of Pride on a black background to bring awareness to the fatal acts of violence black transgender women are often subject to.
Rebel Nell actively supports and advocates for the LGBTQ+ community. For Pride Month 2022, a portion of the proceeds from our Pride Collection will support the work of LBGT Detroit.
For nearly three decades, LGBT Detroit has promoted the well-being and integrity involved in fostering an environment conducive to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals irrespective of race, culture, or socioeconomic status.
Their community support manifests in providing safe gathering spaces where members of the LGBT community can interact without fear of persecution or bigotry.
LGBT Detroit commits to furthering its mission, increasing the prominence and visibility of Detroit's LGBT culture, and building a strong, healthy, and vibrant community. They focus on youth and young adult development, sexual orientation and gender identity education and advocacy, and emotional and physical well-being.
