In 1970, exactly a year after the Stonewall Riot occurred, “Christopher Street Liberation Day” was held to commemorate the lives lost in the riots. In October of 1969, members of the GLF (Gay Liberation Front), Ellen Broidy, Linda Rhodes, and Foster Gunnison Jr. met with Craig Rodwell at his apartment to discuss an event that would later be known as “Pride”. Thousands of members of the LGBTQ community marched throughout New York City to protest against the injustices placed against homosexuals, which would later be known as America’s first gay pride parade. Members of the community including men, women, drag queens, and trans people all took part in the march, and while excited, were still hesitant in an environment where there was significant hostility to homosexuality. Despite the hesitancy, the parade was successful but not without the presence of religious backlash. Religious protestors held signs that stated “God gave Adam Eve not Steve!” and “Even if you call it a gay family, it's still sinful”.  This event is so significant in Davies’, “The Homosexual” because it was a turning point in how society viewed members of the community in the presence of religious backlash. In a time that was hesitant to accept such photographs, Davie created an image that showcased the unfortunate reality of what it meant to be homosexual. Because religion was such a large part of homophobia, the photograph draws this connection and shows how sexuality was constrained in the presence of religion.

Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day: The Story of the First Pride." The Rainbow Stores, n.d., https://www.therainbowstores.com/blogs/blogs-guides/christopher-street-gay-liberation-day-the-story-of-the-first-pride.

Celebrating Pride: 50 years of the LGBTQ+ movement." CBS News, CBS Interactive Inc., 2022, https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/50-plus-years-of-lgbt-pride-parades/24/.