In 1969 a united voice stood tall; it was a voice
that fought back against oppression and a voice that vibrated
within the echoes still heard today against
the refusal to be treated as second class-citizens;
it was a moment in the history of this nation
that sparked a new celebration; a new pride of a people
paving the way towards new freedoms of equality .
It started as a raid, but ended in the rise of the self-made;
the proud members of the Gay community
who soared as founders of a movement that started
on Christopher Street and now marches on
through every major street of every major city
in recognition of how far we have come. The will to strive, to prosper
and to advocate ignited a flame that summer morning
in Greenwich Village; a flame that has become a fire
of momentum that continues to burn as that united voice
still shouting from the foundations of the Stonewall Inn
to the front stairs of the United States Supreme Court, where,
on another day in June, 2013, struck down the Defense of Marriage Act
giving way to a string of decisions
that has ruled state bans on gay marriage unconstitutional
and has instilled hope in those who continue to follow their heart
on a path that will eventually lead to the full rights
of all of humanity.
Today that united voice has reached out and extended
in a full force of pride
overseas
to break the inequality of anti-gay laws threating silence
and extinguish the harsh punishments gay men and women face
in countries where laws promote homophobic violence.
And it all started on a night in June; a night where
the liberation of a voice
fought back and sent a message to society that we are who we are
we are proud to be who we are
and being ourselves is our right, our freedom, our courage
and most of all
our protection…
thank you Stonewall.
© 2014
Tarringo T. Vaughan
