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Royal T: Celebrating Pride Month with Season 1 Finale
As Pride Month comes to a close, we’re celebrating with the latest episode of Royal T, called Can’t Spell Riot without the T, the grand finale of our first season! It’s a fantastic compilation of the season’s best moments, as we focus on the origins of Pride Month and the roots of the historic riots that sparked its inception.
Watch our Pride Month Special: Royal T’s Tribute to the Stonewall Riots
Queen Victoria, our fabulous host, kicks off the episode with a powerful reminder: “It’s June, and you know what that means. Pride started as a riot with Trans Women of Color at the front lines.”
She gives a shout-out to the legendary Martha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, who played pivotal roles in the early gay liberation movement, and highlights that while Pride is a time of celebration, it’s also a time to remember and honor the struggles and contributions of those who came before us.
The Stonewall Riots and the history of Pride Month
The episode takes us back to the early days of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, starting with the Stonewall riots of 1969. In the 1960s, New York City, like much of the rest of the United States, saw significant discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. Gay bars like the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village provided a haven where the community could get together without being harassed by society. Despite operating without a liquor license and putting up with frequent police raids, these bars were vital safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people.
On June 28th, 1969, a police raid on the Stonewall Inn sparked a series of riots when patrons and bystanders decided to fight back instead of dispersing. The crowd’s resistance and the ensuing chaos took the police by surprise, leading to a week of unrest and protests in the surrounding streets. This marked a significant shift, as the LGBTQ+ community united in defiance against years of oppression.
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Queen Victoria doesn’t stop at Stonewall; she also brings attention to other important but less talked about protests like Cooper’s Donuts in LA, Compton’s Cafeteria in San Francisco, and the Black Cat in LA. “On each of these protests, there was a common denominator: Trans people of color were at the forefront, taking the shots, trading blood for liberation and not just for our community, but for all of humanity,” she shares. Their bravery and resilience laid the groundwork for the progress we see today.
The riots galvanized the LGBTQ+ movement, leading to the formation of activist groups like the Gay Liberation Front and the Gay Activists Alliance. These organizations championed LGBTQ+ rights and visibility, organizing protests, and raising awareness.
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A year after the Stonewall riots, activist Brenda Howard, often referred to as the “Mother of Pride,” organized the first Pride march to commemorate the anniversary of the incident. This march was a pivotal moment, bringing together LGBTQ+ communities in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco in a show of solidarity, laying the foundation for annual Pride events worldwide, and celebrating the community’s strength and ongoing fight for equality.
As we wrap up Season One of “Royal T,” we’re reminded of the power of community and the importance of looking back to understand our history while continuing to fight for a better future. Join us in celebrating Pride Month and the incredible journey this season has been. Stay tuned and stay proud!
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