Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – As Puerto Vallarta prepares for another season of Pride celebrations, Clint Harris, Chair of the Costa Banderas chapter of Democrats Abroad Mexico, reflects on the deep political roots behind the festivities. In his article, “Politics in Pride and Pride in Politics,” Harris explains that today’s parades and celebrations grew out of decades of activism, protest, and legal battles fought by LGBTQ+ communities and their allies.
The article traces the origins of Pride to the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York City, when members of the gay community resisted repeated police raids and discrimination. Harris notes that, for many years, LGBTQ+ people in the United States faced criminalization, job loss, housing discrimination, and public hostility simply for their identity. While major court decisions and civil rights victories helped secure protections over time, he argues that many of those gains remain vulnerable in today’s political climate.
Harris highlights the importance of political organizing in advancing LGBTQ+ rights, pointing to the work of early activists, gay political caucuses, and leaders such as Harvey Milk. He also emphasizes the role elected officials, advocacy groups, and grassroots campaigns have played in expanding legal protections and public acceptance across the United States.
At the same time, the article warns that recent court rulings and legislation promoted by conservative political movements threaten to reverse hard-won progress on LGBTQ+ rights, voting rights, and reproductive freedom. Harris encourages readers not to separate Pride from politics, arguing that civic participation and activism remain essential to protecting equality and civil liberties.
Ultimately, the article serves as both a celebration of Pride and a call for continued political engagement, urging readers to honor the activists who paved the way by remaining informed, involved, and committed to defending equal rights for future generations.
Click HERE to read the full Politics in Pride and Pride in Politics article.
Paid for by the Costa Banderas Chapter of Democrats Abroad. With country committees and local chapters in over 80 countries around the world, Democrats Abroad is the official Democratic Party organization for the millions of Americans living outside the United States. For more information about the Costa Banderas Chapter of Democrats Abroad, click HERE or contact Chapter-Chair Clint Harris at Info-MX-CostaBanderas@democratsabroad.org.
