The History of Pride       HOME Pride From the June 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York, evolved the modern day quest in search for gay and lesbian civil rights, equality, justice and liberation for the members of our communities. Pride is about celebrating gay life, and demonstrating to the straight community a rejection of the notion and belief that our difference is wrong or bad in any way.  It is a statement of our self-acceptance, dignity and pride in ourselves, our partners and each other. Who We Are Pride is our coming out of the closet, a public expression of our belief that our sexuality and identity are normal, healthy and right for us as individuals, and as a community.  From a very young age, we're taught to feel and believe that being gay was abnormal, a deviant in a society that believed that to be anyone not straight was evil, a monster, or a pervert.  Society is changing, evolving as all things do.  Gay Pride has helped to hold our heads high, give us honor, identity and respect.  Homophobia is no longer tolerated in many countries of the world, hate is now a crime, and discrimination challenged. The Need For Pride Being gay is not easy.  To face the negative stereotypes that are associated with it on a daily basis challenges the strongest of us, in both who we are, and what we choose to believe.  It is not a life one would necessarily choose for ourselves, and not one we would necessarily wish on others.  To face alienation from friends, from  family, whether it be due to ignorance, or intolerance, is a painful and trying experience.  We are what we are, and just as we must accept the straight world, they too have to accept us. Our Symbol The original rainbow flag was introduced in 1978 when it first appeared in the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Freedom Day Parade.  It had eight stripes, each colour representing a component of the community; hot pink for sex, red for life, orange for healing,  yellow for sun, green for nature, turquoise for art, indigo for harmony, and violet for spirit.  The next year pink and turquoise were removed from the design, and royal blue replaced indigo.  This six-colour version quickly spread from San Francisco to other cities, and soon became the widely-known symbol of gay pride and diversity it is today.  It is even officially recognized by the International Congress of Flag Makers.  It flies proudly in gay communities throughout North America. Be Proud Be proud of who you are, and who you choose to love.  We continue to evolve.  The intolerant will always be with us, but their masses are shrinking.  Society can change, can learn and can evolve.  Our struggle for our rights, and our freedom's will pave the way for future generations, for the day when we will be fully accepted. That future does not seem too far away!!!!