The 20th century saw a wave of organized activism to secure civil rights and freedoms for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people.At this time, the LGBTQ community was often subject to public hostility and legal prosecution, and was widely denied protection against discrimination in employment, housing, military service, and private and public services.

In June 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in New York City.The bar’s patrons – including transgender and gender non-conforming people, lesbians, and gay men – fought back, sparking several days of protests.

 A year later, to mark the anniversary of the uprising, thousands of people took to the streets for the Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade, which is widely regarded as the first Pride celebration.