It’s been 55 years since the uprising at the Stonewall Inn in New York City sparked a global movement for LGBTQ rights. But this year, Pride is more than a celebration—it’s a protest again. Robert Kesten, a human rights activist and Executive Director of the Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library in Fort Lauderdale, is sounding the alarm. In the article written for the Miami Herald, Kesten says,
“In a nation that has pushed for greater individual freedoms, even when difficult, it is hard to accept a United States that is closing doors rather than opening them.”
From a few brave marchers in 1970 to millions around the globe, Pride has evolved—remembering the past, honoring identity, and fighting for justice. But now, Kesten warns,
“With the official death of political DEI, corporations and foundations have left or limited their support of Prides and other LGBTQ+ activities.”
He points to a worrying trend: silence replacing progress in places where Pride once marched—Moscow, Uganda, and even here in the U.S. Still, there’s hope. Kesten believes Pride 2025 can “reenergize us and rekindle the Stonewall flame.” This June, under the rainbow flag, we don’t just celebrate—we resist.
