'Pride' :: Celebrating LGBTQ History with Author Matthew Todd

But how did we get here? That is the question that British writer and editor Matthew Todd examines with "Pride: The Story of the LGBTQ Equality Movement," a historical overview that follows the struggle to LGBTQ equality that found its voice in the Stonewall Riots some 50 years ago. His book, already out in Great Britain, gets its U.S. release next Tuesday.

"In writing this book celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots and the movement that followed, and inviting key figures to contribute essays, it became clear to me quite how much there is to celebrate," Todd writes in the book's introduction. "The change has been profound, and much of it can be traced back to this single explosive event... When you read through the book. I hope that you too will feel a very strong sense of celebration, joy and gratitude towards the countless people who have given time, money and even their lives to get us where we are today. I can't ever thank those people enough. None of us can."

Todd's book, according to a press release, "documents the milestones in the fight for equality, from the victories of early activists, to the gradual acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in politics, sport and the media and the passing of legislation barring discrimination. Covering the key figures and notable moments, events and breakthroughs of the movement through the reproduction of rare images and documents, and featuring personal testimony essays from notable figures, 'Pride' is a unique and comprehensive account of the ongoing challenges facing the LGBTQ community, and a celebration of the equal rights that have been won for many as a result of the sacrifices and passion of this mass movement."

Todd is best-known as the author of "Straight Jacket" (Penguin, 2016), which won Boyz magazine Best LGBT Book of 2017. He is Editor-at-Large of Attitude, the UK's bestselling gay magazine. In 2016 he secured Prince William as the first time a member of the British Royal Family has featured on the cover of a gay magazine, and reports for the Guardian, Telegraph, Observer & Newsnight.

As the book is about to be released in the United States, EDGE spoke with Todd about how he came to tell this story, what pained him in looking back and the role each individual has in making LGBTQ history.

Tribute to activism

EDGE: Would you mind describing your book for our readers?

Matthew Todd: It is a tribute to the importance of activism and protest. It is really the thread that links the whole book together. I also think that it is very relevant to today, not just specially in a LGBTQ sense but just seeing the state of the world, we are not in a good place. It's just a look back over the last 50 years, but we do go back a little further. For most of the LGBTQ community it all started with Stonewall, but we also talk about other milestones.

EDGE: How did you decide which milestones to focus on?

Matthew Todd: It was really hard to decide, because when we first started working on it, I thought this is going to be easy. Then I realized there was so much that I didn't know, and I had to figure out how to do it in digestible portions. And that is another important part of it, because we think we know it all. Even so, there was so much stuff that I didn't know because the history hasn't been told or taught. When I was in school, they didn't teach it. In my life, it has been TV, films, and in the UK soap operas. Those mediums may not seem that important, but they really are because they show representation. Shows like "Will & Grace" effected the lives of so many LGBTQ people around the world and educated us. I could have written ten more realms of the book to cover everything.

Difficult times

EDGE: History can be difficult to look back on. While researching, were there any periods in the LGBTQ fight for equality that you found most difficult for yourself?

Matthew Todd: The 80s was difficult for me because of AIDS. I remember when we were looking at the book and laying out the pictures, there would be this kind of immense weight when you got to the 80s. It's that part in history where there was so much progress before that. On a personal level, I was in school and in the UK, we had section 28 and that was the law that was to prohibit the promotion of homosexuality in schools. I remember reading in newspapers what was being written about gay people at the time. In the UK, it was so savage. They were referring to gay people as terrorists. The cultural backlash and homophobia is still painful to me.

EDGE: Who have been some of your role models in the fight for equality?

Matthew Todd: Yes, so many have been. The one who really stands out for me is a British lesbian named Maureen Duffy. I have heard her name before, but never really knew anything about her. When I was editing at Attitude, we started giving awards to not only LGBTQ people, but to allies too. We would give these three icon awards to different people. We gave one to Maureen, who is in her 80s now, she is a playwright and author. I found a piece a footage from 1967, in the months, leading up to the vote to partial decriminalize homosexuality. It wasn't illegal for gay women at that point, but she came out on the BBC doing a documentary that was going out to the entire country arguing about this law change for her gay brothers, so she was benefiting from this, but she wanted to see change. It is hard coming out at any time, so I can't image what it was like back in 1967.

Pride's importance

EDGE: When it comes to fighting for LGBTQ equal rights, what are the differences you see between the UK and the US?

Matthew Todd: I've only been to the US twice, so what I seem to understand is that religion is a more negative force in the States. In the UK, it is quite unusual for people to talk about their religion here and using it against someone. I also think the issue of race is different. Some of the stats that are at the end of the book, especially in the States, are alarming.

EDGE: With Pride parades being cancelled around the world due to the Coronavirus, how would you like to see members of the LGBTQ community celebrate?

Matthew Todd: Pride parades can be amazing! They can be completely life-changing for someone who has never been. The first one I attended was a real shot in the arm for me. This year there is going to be a real hole for us all in not being able to celebrate with our community and allies. It is a time for us to stop and take stock in how important they really are and to think about their essences and what makes them so important. Also, a time to reflect and figure out how do we continue to move forward in the future as a community. We need to continue to express ourselves and find our voices and stand up for what is right.

How to fight

EDGE: As a community, how do you continue to fight for equality?

Matthew Todd: It's really hard, that one, because the world is really a dangerous place. I mention in the book that I feel like we really dropped the ball in terms of looking at other areas, i.e. climate change. There are no LGBTQ rights if we don't stop that. There is no future for us if there is no future for the planet. What I found very moving about writing the book and looking at it, sometimes there is a temptation to just think commenting online or on Twitter is enough. But when you look back at our history, it is really about people putting their lives on the line and actually standing up for change.

EDGE: What do you hope that readers take away from your book? What are some of the lessons you hope to impart?

Matthew Todd: We all have a history and that we are all connected; that you can change the world and make a difference. All of the people in the book were all individuals doing small things that snowballed. Together we can create this huge change. There is also a need for us to come together, because often, we can be critical and unkind to each other and that destroys and doesn't create change. The riots at Stonewall is a perfect example of coming together and creating change. The thing that I found really moving when I was reading the books about Stonewall was the cross-section of people (white, black, gay and trans) that came together to stand up and fight.

EDGE: What are you working on next?

Matthew Todd: I was working on a one-man show about my other book, "Straitjacket," which has been a really big hit in the UK. I have been trying to write other things. I could pretend that I am really doing that, but I am finding it difficult. So, I am just baking, but nothing really edible.