Bowman understands the importance of making a local impact; we serve hardworking business owners, local governments, and individuals in our community every day. We know that the services we provide impact thousands of lives, even those who might not even know who we are. We see our entire surrounding community as stakeholders who are impacted by our actions, and we uphold the highest standards of service, professionalism, and care to satisfy those stakeholders. It is critical to our success that we realize that our community – the people we employ, serve, and impact – is an incredibly diverse group. It is equally as critical to the success of our community that their businesses are supportive of the very people they serve. This is why Bowman is dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion not only during Pride Month, but every single day. We want to make an impact where it matters most: home.
This Pride Month, Bowman celebrates accomplishments of the LGBTQ+ community both here & worldwide. Regardless of your orientation, we feel it is necessary and helpful to learn about these accomplishments to inch ever closer to true inclusion & equality.
LGBTQ+ history is thousands of years old. From some of the leaders of the most powerful empires in history to modern day celebrities and politicians, LGBTQ+ persons have wielded extraordinary historical significance and influence. However, threats to LGBTQ+ life, liberty, and happiness have existed equally as long. Perhaps one of the first major social demonstrations of pride in America occurred in 1969 following the Stonewall Riots.
“Many new activists consider the Stonewall Uprising the birth of the gay liberation movement. Certainly it was the birth of gay pride of a massive scale” – The Gay Crusaders, by Kay Tobin & Randy Wicker. New York: Paperback Library, 1972.
The following year on the anniversary of the event, thousands participated in the first ever nationally organized “Pride March” demonstrations. This event was so instrumental in building the foundation of the pride movement that it was cited and acknowledged in president Barack Obama’s inaugural address in 2013. Two years later, gay marriage was federally legalized in 2015 in the landmark supreme court case, Obergefell v. Hodges.
Before the Stonewall Riots, the movement of protest had already begun; even when it wasn’t as nationally organized and broadcasted. Barbara Gittings was a gay rights activist for the Daughters of Bilitis. She picketed the White House in 1965 for federal employment discrimination. Additionally, along with Frank Kameny, she served as co-counsel on hearings held by the Department of Defense to discredit the expert witness of a doctor who had classified homosexuality as a “treatable” mental illness. The results of their efforts were successful in changing the perceptions of many Americans on the fundamental nature of homosexual life and identity. Although civil rights and political liberty were of the utmost importance to her and her fellow protestors, what she is remembered for is a monumental victory in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights: humanization and understanding on a social level for thousands in American society, in a time where this was even more difficult than it is today. Upon her death, she was interred in Washington D.C.’s Congressional Cemetery.
Although there has been much speculation about previous politicians, the first openly gay congressman was Barney Frank (House of Representatives, Massachusetts), who publicly announced his orientation in 1987. He was instrumental to the revision and passing of the Dodd-Frank Act (2010) in response to the 2008 recession, so much so that it is named partly after him. Today, we are witness to the first openly gay senator, Tammy Baldwin (Wisconsin), who in 2012, successfully won a hard fought race for an open seat in the senate.
Bowman & Company LLP is dedicated to raising awareness and support for all marginalized and discriminated groups of society. We hope to make a positive impact and promote acceptance of all people, both internally and in the community. We encourage you to read more about our efforts on our website using the button below.
References & More Resources
- Library of Congress – The Stonewall Uprising of 1969
- Cornell Law School: Legal Information Institute – Obergefell v. Hodges
- The Legacy Project – Barbara Gittings: Inductee
- Library of Congress – About | Pride Month
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