Instructions
Follow these steps to complete your Pride Month Research Project. You will investigate the historical origins of Pride Month, research influential historical figures and symbols, and design your own symbolic artwork.
- Read and Respond: Read the background information provided or conduct quick online research to answer the questions in Section 1.
- Historical Figures Investigation: Complete the table in Section 2 by researching key figures of the Stonewall Uprising.
- Symbolism Study: Complete the table in Section 3 by researching two LGBTQIA+ Pride symbols.
- Creative Expression: Complete Section 4 by planning and describing an original piece of Pride artwork and writing an artist statement.
Section 1: The Spark of June & The Stonewall Uprising
Context: Today, June is celebrated globally as Pride Month. However, this month was chosen to commemorate a specific historic event that took place in New York City in June 1969: the Stonewall Riots (also called the Stonewall Uprising).
1. Why is Pride Month celebrated specifically in the month of June? Write 2-3 sentences explaining the connection to the historical timeline.
2. What were the Stonewall Riots? Describe what happened, where they occurred, and how they started. Hint: Think about the relationship between the police and LGBTQIA+ community spaces in 1969.
3. Why are the Stonewall Riots considered a major turning point in LGBTQIA+ history? How did activism change before and after this event?
Section 2: Key Historical Figures
Many courageous individuals led the Stonewall Uprising and the early Gay Liberation movement. Research the historical figures listed below to complete the table. One example has been completed for you.
| Historical Figure | Role / Actions During the Uprising | Impact & Legacy Today |
|---|---|---|
| Marsha P. Johnson (Example) | A Black transgender woman and drag queen who was a key instigator in the Stonewall Uprising; she climbed a lamppost and threw a brick at a police car window during the protests. | Co-founded Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (S.T.A.R.) to help homeless youth; remembered as a pioneer of trans rights. |
| Sylvia Rivera | ||
| Stormé DeLarverie | ||
| Craig Rodwell | ||
| [Student Choice Figure] |
Section 3: Pride Symbolism
Symbols are powerful tools for unity, visibility, and protest. Research two different historical or modern Pride symbols (such as the Progress Pride Flag, the Pink Triangle, the Transgender Pride Flag, or the Labrys) and complete the table below. One example has been completed for you.
| Symbol Name | Creator & Year | Visual Description | Meaning / Representation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Rainbow Flag (Example) | Gilbert Baker (1978) | Eight horizontal stripes: hot pink, red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, indigo, and violet. | Designed to represent hope and diversity. Each color had a specific meaning (e.g., hot pink for sex, red for life, green for nature). |
| Symbol 1: | |||
| Symbol 2: |
Section 4: Design Your Own Pride Artwork
Now it is your turn to design a symbolic piece of artwork or a flag that represents community, inclusion, diversity, or allyship.
Part A: Visual Description Describe what your artwork looks like. What colors, shapes, symbols, or patterns did you choose?
Part B: Artist Statement Write a paragraph explaining the meaning behind your design. Why did you choose these specific elements, and what message do you hope to send to those who view it?
Part C: Draft Your Design In the space below, sketch a rough draft of your design.
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| [ DRAW DESIGN HERE ] | |
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Answer Key & Teacher Guide
Section 1: The Spark of June & The Stonewall Uprising
- Why June? Pride Month is celebrated in June to honor the Stonewall Uprising, which began in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969.
- What were they? The Stonewall Riots were a series of spontaneous demonstrations by members of the LGBTQIA+ community in response to a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay club located in Greenwich Village, New York City. At the time, homosexual acts were illegal in almost every state, and police raids on gay bars were frequent.
- Why a turning point? Before Stonewall, activism was often polite and assimilationist (seeking acceptance by blending in). Stonewall marked a shift to militant, public, and pride-centered activism. It led to the formation of the Gay Liberation Front, increased visibility, and the organization of the first Pride marches exactly one year later in June 1970.
Section 2: Key Historical Figures
- Sylvia Rivera: A Latina transgender activist who fought alongside Marsha P. Johnson at Stonewall. She focused on housing, youth, and trans women of color, co-founding S.T.A.R. with Marsha.
- Stormé DeLarverie: A butch lesbian performer and activist. Her scuffle with police during the raid is widely cited as the spark that ignited the crowd to fight back during the Stonewall Uprising.
- Craig Rodwell: An activist who founded the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop (the first gay bookstore). He was a key organizer of the Christopher Street Liberation Day march, which became the first annual Pride Parade.
- Student Choice: Answers will vary (e.g., Harvey Milk, Brenda Howard, Audre Lorde).
Section 3: Pride Symbolism
Accept student entries. Common correct responses include:
- Progress Pride Flag (Daniel Quasar, 2018): Features a chevron of black, brown, light blue, pink, and white on top of the traditional rainbow flag. Represents trans individuals, queer people of color, and those living with/lost to HIV/AIDS.
- Transgender Pride Flag (Monica Helms, 1999): Five horizontal stripes (two light blue, two pink, one white). Represents transgender individuals (blue for boys, pink for girls, white for transitioning/neutral/intersex).
- Pink Triangle: Originally used in Nazi concentration camps to identify homosexual male prisoners. Reclaimed in the 1970s and 1980s (specifically by ACT UP during the AIDS crisis) as a symbol of remembrance and active protest.
Section 4: Design Your Own Pride Artwork
Grading Criteria: Answers should demonstrate creativity, a clear explanation of symbols/colors used, and a reflective artist statement connecting their visual choices to themes of inclusion, identity, or historical remembrance.