• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • 12+ Instagram Sure Shots in Miami for the Social LGBTQ Visitor. All Mapped with More Top Spots … In Time For Your Fall Getaway Plans
  • Bella Thorne used to have threesomes with Benjamin Mascolo
  • John Waters believes mainstream Hollywood films are finally as shocking as his cult movies

Gilbert Baker on Pride Month 2009: Take it to the Streets

Andy Towle June 11, 2009

Prop8nycmarch  

GuestbloggerGILBERT BAKER

Activist and designer Gilbert Baker is best known for creating the rainbow flag in 1978 as a symbol of LGBT pride, liberation and diversity. Since then he has designed many flags and banners, including the ones recently used in New York's marriage equality march in response to Proposition 8 (above). Baker shares his thoughts on the occasion of Pride Month 2009.

Gilbert-Headshot-2009 We celebrate Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender pride, but are mindful our struggle for Civil Rights is only beginning. In the 40 short years since Stonewall we have changed the world with our visibility, we have organized and moved governments, but most of all we have fought back in our personal lives to be free and live true.

It is the great spirit of liberation that connects us through all generations. It is the moment we all share of coming out, first and foremost to our selves, knowing who we are.

There are many places in the world today where our brothers and sisters are forbidden to join together openly, who live alone with a secret they fear to share. Think of them when you see the Rainbow Flag. When you march, you march for those who cannot. When you sing the songs of freedom, your voice gives those censored and silent hope.

I call on everyone who has pride to rise up and take action. We must push our politicians to make the change they have promised. In America we will not wait any longer for full equality, we will not be bullied with conventional political wisdom. We will take it to the streets.

Continued, AFTER THE JUMP…

Now is the time to march on Washington DC. I join others from coast to coast who have had enough and are headed to our nation's capitol on October 11th, 2009, to march for freedom and equality, protest injustice, and mobilize in ways never seen before.

Remember this is a revolution and evolution; free your mind of doubt. To those who question the timing and tactics of taking a stand — right now — and getting in the face of the FEDERAL government — I say get on board. The whole world is watching.

State by state we have battled, won some and lost many. We march in towns large and small across the land to make our case. But there’s a difference between the governor's mansion and the White House. It’s not the same thing watching the TV coverage over cigars in Malibu, as it is explaining equality to your kids in the Blue Room — while the chandeliers shake from the sound of our fury.

Back in the day. LBJ sat in the Oval Office, barricaded behind a wall of buses from a crowd of millions who shouted “hey hey LBJ how many kids have you killed today?” It changed him. It turned the page on Vietnam. Or even before, in August of 1963 and another March on Washington, when Martin Luther King had a dream that became JFK’s dream. It changed the world.

We need waves of marches and direct actions in Washington if we’re serious about winning equality. Listen up America: we’re here and we’re clear; we’re not going away. We are in your face at City Hall. We siege the State House and sue in the Court House. We vote and we vote and we never give up.

There’s a time for party festivals, for dancing and celebration, and there’s a time to rage and resist. If we’re a movement, let’s move. Gear up now for the road ahead. Get your walking shoes and talking points. Take a constitutional for the Constitution; many have died that we might take simple steps. Honor their courage with ours.

October 11th is quick, but we are a versatile people, and we already know the way — strength in numbers and perseverance in personal commitment. Do not stay home and let history pass you by. Light a fire on Facebook, enlist your friends and neighbors, Google your maps and get on the bus!

President Obama, Congress, and the Court — we’re coming. We’re coming from Salt Lake and Baltimore, from Albuquerque and Minneapolis, from the sunshine state and the golden state, from Kansas wheat fields and Boston Harbor, from the streets of the Big Apple – and the Big Easy. We’re coming with 50 stars on and a human rainbow.

E Pluribus Unum! – Out of many, one. One for justice!  One for equality!  One for change!

(Baker headshot by Richard Ferrara, protest shot Andy Towle)

Topics: Coming Out, History, News, Pride More Posts About: activism, Barack Obama, Barack Obama, gay rights, Gilbert Baker, News, rainbow flag

Related Posts
  • Netflix Unveils ‘Rustin’ Trailer Featuring Colman Domingo as Bayard Rustin
  • Barack Obama appears in library TikTok video to put focus on book bans
  • Ted Cruz claims Buttigieg running against Biden because his ‘cadence’ is ‘mimicking Barack Obama’
  • Bella Thorne used to have threesomes with Benjamin Mascolo

    Bella Thorne used to have threesomes with Benjamin Mascolo

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Bella Thorne and her ex-boyfriend Benjamin Mascolo used to have threesomes. The 25-year-old actress dated musician Benjamin, 30, from 2019 until 2022 and he has now claimed that his ex-girlfriend is …Read More »
  • John Waters believes mainstream Hollywood films are finally as shocking as his cult movies

    John Waters believes mainstream Hollywood films are finally as shocking as his cult movies

    Published by BANG Showbiz English John Waters thinks mainstream Hollywood films are just as shocking as his gross-out cult classics. The groundbreaking 77-year-old director made his name with the 1972 black comedy ‘Pink Flamingos’ that famously …Read More »
  • Sir Elton John is ‘back home and in good health’ after being rushed to hospital

    Sir Elton John is ‘back home and in good health’ after being rushed to hospital

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Sir Elton John is “back home and in good health” after being rushed to hospital. The 76-year-old pop icon suffered a fall at his French villa on Sunday (27.08.23) evening and …Read More »
  • Robin Roberts Wedding—All the ‘I Do’ Details: The Dress, the Guest List, the Snubs and More Revealed

    Robin Roberts Wedding—All the ‘I Do’ Details: The Dress, the Guest List, the Snubs and More Revealed

    Published by OK Magazine Here's to the newlyweds! On Friday, September 8, Good Morning America star Robin Roberts tied the knot with her girlfriend of 18 years, Amber Laign. The reporter broke the news on her …Read More »
Previous Post: « News: Bret Michaels, D.C., Jesse Helms, Dan Choi, Connecticut
Next Post: Movies: Sam Rockwell’s Moon and Brad Pitt’s Secret Affair »

Primary Sidebar

Most Recent

  • 12+ Instagram Sure Shots in Miami for the Social LGBTQ Visitor. All Mapped with More Top Spots … In Time For Your Fall Getaway Plans

    12+ Instagram Sure Shots in Miami for the Social LGBTQ Visitor. All Mapped with More Top Spots … In Time For Your Fall Getaway Plans

  • Bella Thorne used to have threesomes with Benjamin Mascolo

    Bella Thorne used to have threesomes with Benjamin Mascolo

  • John Waters believes mainstream Hollywood films are finally as shocking as his cult movies

    John Waters believes mainstream Hollywood films are finally as shocking as his cult movies

  • Sir Elton John is ‘back home and in good health’ after being rushed to hospital

    Sir Elton John is ‘back home and in good health’ after being rushed to hospital

  • Robin Roberts Wedding—All the ‘I Do’ Details: The Dress, the Guest List, the Snubs and More Revealed

    Robin Roberts Wedding—All the ‘I Do’ Details: The Dress, the Guest List, the Snubs and More Revealed

  • Ellen DeGeneres announces TV return after 16-month absence

    Ellen DeGeneres announces TV return after 16-month absence

  • Madonna ‘Would Love’ for Britney Spears to Come on Tour With Her After Recent Split From Sam Asghari

    Madonna ‘Would Love’ for Britney Spears to Come on Tour With Her After Recent Split From Sam Asghari

  • Lourdes Leon, Daughter Of Madonna, Shocks With See-Through String Dress At Victoria’s Secret Show

    Lourdes Leon, Daughter Of Madonna, Shocks With See-Through String Dress At Victoria’s Secret Show

Adjacent News

  • Did the UAE ban the Barbie movie? What about Saudi Arabia?

    Did the UAE ban the Barbie movie? What about Saudi Arabia?

  • From penal camp, dissident Navalny calls on Russians to resist Putin

    From penal camp, dissident Navalny calls on Russians to resist Putin

  • As contentious judicial ‘reform’ becomes law in Israel, Netanyahu cements his political legacy

    As contentious judicial ‘reform’ becomes law in Israel, Netanyahu cements his political legacy

Good Trash: Going to Read It Somewhere, Y'know

  • Beyonce pays tribute to stabbed fan

    Beyonce pays tribute to stabbed fan

  • Dwight Howard’s Assault Accuser Submits Uber Receipt as Evidence in Court Battle With Ex-Lakers Star

    Dwight Howard’s Assault Accuser Submits Uber Receipt as Evidence in Court Battle With Ex-Lakers Star

  • After Bud Light, Ukraine ‘Scandals,’ Garth Brooks Surprises Again

    After Bud Light, Ukraine ‘Scandals,’ Garth Brooks Surprises Again

Partner Links

  • OMG, Wrestler Anthony Bowens claps back at homophobes who have told him not to talk about his sexuality.
    On Monday, pro Wrestler Anthony Bowens published a letter in The […]
  • OMG, he’s naked: Alex Garcia goes frontal and rear in ‘El Inmortal’
    Alex Garcia goes frontal and rear in ‘El Inmortal’ after the […]
  • Snapped! Claybourne Elder in the street!
    View this post on Instagram A post shared by Claybourne Elder […]
  • UAW President Torches Trump For Holding Rally At Nonunion Business
    UAW president Shawn Fain didn't mince words when asked about Trump's […]
  • David Corenswet Looks Bulked Up in New Photos, Three Months After 'Superman' Casting News
    David Corenswet is packing on muscle for his upcoming role as […]

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy
[towleroadmr] [towleroadtn]

Copyright © 2023 · Log in

×
×