History of Pride: Foundations of LGBT and Queer Culture - Aiken

This online session, designed for our Aiken community, provides a comprehensive look into the History of Pride: Foundations of LGBT and Queer Culture. You will get insights on the pivotal moments and influential figures that shaped the ongoing struggle for equality, putting national history into a context relevant to us here in South Carolina. Understand the roots of the movement to better appreciate its present and future.

We will begin by exploring the world before the Stonewall Uprising. Learn about the early organizations and hidden communities that laid the groundwork for future activism. Discover the challenges faced by LGBT individuals across the nation and the courageous first steps they took to demand visibility in a society that preferred they remain invisible, a reality that shaped life everywhere, including Aiken.

The talk will then focus on the Stonewall Uprising of 1969 as a major turning point. We will examine how this event in New York catalyzed a new era of public protest and community organizing, transforming the fight for gay rights into a visible, national movement with impacts felt across the country. Understand how this moment sparked conversations that would eventually reach every community.

In this online session, you will learn about:

• The social and political climate for LGBT people before 1969.
• The significance of the Stonewall Uprising and its lasting legacy.
• The evolution of Pride from a political march to a global celebration.
• Key legislative battles and cultural milestones over the decades.
• The expansion of terminology and the inclusion of diverse identities within the community.

Finally, we will discuss the modern era and the complexities of queer culture today. This includes an overview of the impact of the AIDS crisis, the rise of intersectionality, and ongoing debates that resonate within communities like ours. While this exploration of the History of Pride is curated for Aiken, we welcome anyone to join us online from wherever you are.