While we're talking about #pride and who is responsible for it, let's not forget this woman. This is Brenda Howard (z''l), commonly known as the "Mother of Pride," a name she was given by those who worked with her. Brenda was a disabled bisexual Jewish cisgender sex worker, a proud member of the BDSM community. She is known for "coordinating a rally and then the Christopher Street Liberation Day March to commemorate the first anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Howard also originated the idea of a week-long series of events around Pride Day which became the genesis of the annual LGBT Pride celebrations that are now held around the world every June.Additionally, Howard along with fellow LGBT activists Stephen Donaldson and L. Craig Schoonmaker are credited with popularizing the word "Pride" to describe these festivities." (Ref: Wikipedia) We would not have Pride without Stonewall, and we must not forget those at Stonewall. It is equally important to lift up in memory Brenda Howard, who created what we think of as Pride, and she did it in direct response to and in alliance with those at Stonewall. She was the sort of person who would just show up for everyone who needed help and spent her life marching, protesting and working for others. She embodied Tikkun Olam. We lost her to cancer in 2005 and the community lost so much when we did. As we remember our icons, remember Brenda Howard. Do not let anyone tell you that you aren't "respectable" enough for Pride. #pridemonth #lgbt #bisexual #loveislove #gaypride #queer #queeraf #queerpride #brendahoward #motherofpride #queerhistory #disgaybled #instagay #girlswhokissgirls












