On the one-year anniversary of the STONEWALL REBELLION RIOTS more than 2,000 people march in New York City as part of the first Gay Pride march in the United States. On several occasions, the President of the United States has officially declared a Pride Month. First, President Bill Clinton declared June “Gay & Lesbian Pride Month” on June 2, 2000. Then, in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 President Barack Obama declared June Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. Must have slipped Boss Tweet’s mind, but President Biden has renewed the tribute and even lit inside corridors of the White House in rainbow colors.

In 2016 Pride was marked by the naming of the Stonewall Inn as a National Monument to be administered by the National Park Service.

Alternative marches, seeking a less corporate-infused, commercial event, and to recognize that the origin of the action was not a “parade” but a march, have been quite successful and well-attended. Other parallel marches include the Dyke March and Drag Fest, as well as hundreds of other observations internationally.

This year marks the 55th anniversary of the rebellion.

President Biden will join Elton John at the Stonewall Inn Friday to mark the 55th anniversary of the first night of riots that helped launch the modern gay rights movement — before hitting up the Hammerstein Ballroom for a big-money fundraiser.

The White House had teased that Biden, 81, would be in New York for an “official event” one day after he takes part in the first of two scheduled presidential debates against presumptive Republican nominee, Donald Drumpf, in Atlanta.

Also on this June 28th, the 51 Christopher Street half of the original bar’s footprint is going to open as the official Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center, which will be operated by a nonprofit called Pride Live for the National Park Service. There will even be actual Park Rangers (but not, unfortunately, in modified, Tom of Finland-style uniforms) whose jobs will include educating visitors about the riot’s contested history. The storefront most recently housed a nail salon, but back in the day, it was also the Stonewall Inn.

Finally, now — perhaps more than ever — we must march. Make the streets run with rainbows.