Pride 2022 LIVE updates – Chaos at San Francisco Civic Center and in New York City after false shooting reports

Roe v Wade protests

The Pride celebration also comes after Friday’s Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe V Wade sparked protests around the nation.

The 5-4 decision will leave the issues of abortion up to state legislators, which will ultimately result in a total ban on the procedure in about half of the states.

What do the rainbow colors mean?

Each color in the original flag had a different meaning, which many still celebrate today.

When the flag was first created, each color in the rainbow design had a different meaning

• Hot pink – sex
• Red – life
• Orange – healing
• Yellow – sunlight
• Green – nature
• Turquoise – magic/art
• Indigo – serenity
• Violet – spirit

What is the Gay Pride flag?

The rainbow flag has become widely known as a symbol for the LGBT community.

It's typically made up of six horizontal stripes which appear in descending order from red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet.

There were originally eight colours in the flag, including hot pink and turquoise, each with their own meaning.

But the number of colours amount was later reduced due to the limited availability of the hot pink fabric.

The iconic flag was created by Gilbert Baker from Kansas.

What does LGBTQ+ stand for?

LGBT is an acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender - a term used to represent the wider community.

The acronym has been in common use since the 1990s but it's believed to have existed for much longer.

LGBT is often referred to as LGBTQ to incorporate those who identify as queer and/or questioning.

The acronym LGBTQ+ is also used, with the "plus" referring to other sexual identities including asexual, pansexual and omnisexual.

There is also LGBTQIA/LGBTQIA+ which includes intersex and asexual and/or allies in the abbreviation.

Bartender remembers Stonewall

An 83-year-old bartender at Stonewall recently recounted the riots to The Sun.

People always ask, 'Were you afraid?' I always go, 'Hell no!'

"I never threw a rock. I never set a police car on fire ... it was just a whole lot of fun.

"We had no idea that it would become this significant thing because we were so used to raids.

"We didn't know that was going to be the raid of all raids."

Stonewall riots

Riots broke out in New York in the early morning of June 28, 1969, after cops raided the Stonewall Inn.

At the time New York had hardened laws against homosexuality, barring LGBTQ+ people from being sold alcohol or “ displaying homosexually" in public.

The Police frequently raided Stonewall and other gay bars.

However, in June 1969, patrons refused to go quietly, gathering outside the bar, chanting "gay power" and "gay pride."

The protests lasted for several days.

Friday's Drag March

This weekend's celebrations kicked off on Friday with the annual Drag March in New York City.

The event was founded in 1994 by Gilbert Baker, the creator of the rainbow flag, Brian Griffin, aka Harmonie Moore Must Die, and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, after the main pride event banned drag queens, fearing backlash from their corporate sponsors.

How to get involved

Aside from events and parades happening across the US, you can also celebrate Pride month in other ways:

• Put up rainbow flags across your home or even as a virtual background on Zoom.
• Listen to LGBT history podcasts or videos online.
• Listen to Pride music playlists across the internet, such as this one on Spotify.
• Support local LGBT businesses
• Share rainbow flag photos or logos on social media, or even relevant quotes to spread awareness.

Sen Chuck Schumer: 'We will keep fighting'

US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has joined demonstrators in NYC for the Pride March.

"On this 7th anniversary of marriage equality as we march for #Pride in NY:" he wrote on his Twitter account.

"We know that LGBTQ+ rights and women’s rights and so much more are under attack by MAGA Republicans and a MAGA extremist Supreme Court."

"We will keep fighting. We will keep working. We will keep marching."

What happens during Pride Month?

With the pandemic putting a halt on in-person parades, the march is finally back in 2022 across the New York region.

On June 26 the march will begin at noon at 25th Street and 5th Ave. and continue until the Stonewall National Monument and the New York City AIDS Memorial, with its final destination in Chelsea at 16th Street and 7th Ave.

Here are some Pride month events reported by The New York Times:

• Historian George Chauncey from Columbia University will host "Gay New York: 1930-1970" at the New-York Historical Society on June 8.
• ChamberQueer will perform two shows at National Sawdust in Brooklyn from June 10 to June 12.
• The Mets vs. Marlins game for Pride Night at Citi Field on June 17.

What is Pride Month, continued

Pride month is crucial as it allowed individuals to spread awareness and enhance individuality and inclusivity in society.

"That night in June of 1969, we felt rage at the police," shared Stonewall Riots participant Mark Segal with ET’s Denny Directo.

"We were enraged because, in a sense, 2,000 years of repression built up in us. And the New York City Police Department that night, when they violently came into Stonewall and beat people up against the wall and extorted money from people, got us angry."

What is Pride Month?

Pride month occurs every June to celebrate and spread awareness for the LGBT community.

June was chosen as the celebrating month to honor the Stonewall Riots which took place in 1969.

The Stonewall Riots consisted of numerous unsolicited riots by the gay community in New York City in response to a police assault that started on June 28, 1969.

Aside from various events and community gatherings, Pride month is a time when people can peacefully protest and gain political awareness for LGBT issues.

Pride celebrations canceled after mass shooting, continued

A 42-year-old man has been charged with murder, attempted murder and terrorist acts after he opened fire in three different locations.

The man who is known to the authorities, is a Norwegian citizen, originally from Iran.

Security services have raised the terror threat level in Norway in the wake of the attack.

PST acting chief Roger Berg called the attack an "extreme Islamist terror act" and said the suspect had a long history of violence and threats as well as mental health issues.

Pride celebrations canceled after mass shooting

A tragic mass shooting in Oslo, Norway, led to the cancellation of Pride events in the Nation's capital.

Two people were killed with 21 more injured after police charged the captured gunman with terrorism.

Ten people were rushed to hospital, with three of them in a serious condition and 12 more were treated at the scene, police said.

Planned Parenthood at NYC Pride

Reproductive healthcare nonprofit Planned Parenthood is set to kickoff NYC Pride in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision.

"Yesterday's Supreme Court decision overturning nearly five decades of protections and reproductive freedom is devastating," NYC Pride wrote.

"This dangerous decision puts millions in harm's way, gives government control over our individual freedom to choose, and sets a disturbing precedent that puts many other constitutional rights and freedoms in jeopardy."

'Feeling the Pride'

The New York City Mayor's office tweeted photos of people celebrating Pride on Saturday.

NYC Mayor speaks, continued

“She said, ‘Eric, you’re arrested, you’re not going to school, what future is this baby going to have?’

“She made the decision that was smart for the both of us, she made the right call because she was empowered, she was in control.”

Adams later tweeted that "After today, young women will come of age with fewer rights than their parents.

"It sends chills down my spine."

NYC Mayor speaks

New York mayor, Eric Adams, spoke on the steps of City Hall, revealing that he and his then-girlfriend had gotten an abortion when they were teenagers.

Adams said he was just back from jail after being arrested for trespassing when his girlfriend told him she was pregnant.

“Linda came to me and said, ‘Eric, I’m pregnant, and look at your life,’” Adams said.

Dallas Mavericks show support

The Texas basketball team issued a tweet in support of the NYC pride parade, with player Reggie Bullock in attendance of the event.

Kissing in the fountain

A couple was photographed kissing in a fountain in Washington Square Park, New York.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams marches

New York City Mayor Eric Adams also joined demonstrators and participated in the Pride March.

Gov Kathy Hochul pictured

NY Gov Kathy Hochul marched alongside demonstrators in New York City on Sunday.

Fights break out

Fights have broken out in Washington Square Park, following mistaken reports of gunfire.

The NYPD has made multiple arrests.

New York Islanders: 'Happy Pride!'

The state hockey team showed its support at the NYC Pride Parade Sunday.

The team mascot walked the streets waving a rainbow flag.