Up until Stonewall, there were no riots, parades, or protests that actually sparked the unity and togetherness of the gay community the riots marked the tradition involving “raucous celebrations to demonstrate the strength and new pride of the gay community” (Hall).
During the “Annual Reminder” in Philadelphia, “silent vigils” outside of Liberty Hall were meant to be “unthreatening,” but were ineffective and assisted their progress as so-called activists minimally (Sargeant). In the past, the gay community would picket silently and “politely,” with absolutely no room for emphasis on their cry for rights or struggle for equality. The first-ever gay pride march was organized by “more than a dozen gay organizations” for months prior to the event (Sargeant). On June 28, 1970, one year after the Stonewall Riots, thousands traveled to New York City to mark the anniversary of this famous day in gay rights history.
