Pride Month is now a time for corporations to plaster their social media accounts with rainbow flags while leaving gay characters out of their movies or donating to anti-gay politicians, or for straight people to treat it like St. Patrick’s Day or Cinco de Mayo. But it’s important to remember that the first Pride was a riot.

June is Pride Month because the Stonewall Riots began on June 28, 1969. New York City’s Public Morals Squad, which was a thing that existed in the U.S. in your parents’ lifetime, raided a gay bar called the Stonewall Inn. Everyone dressed as a woman was to have their genitals inspected and anyone caught with a penis would be arrested. Additionally, male members of the Public Morals Squad were sexually assaulting lesbian patrons while frisking them.

All of that was standard procedure, but on that night they decided it would end. The women wouldn’t go with the officers for the inspection and the men wouldn’t present their IDs. When the police called in transports to arrest everyone and take them in, others arrived and crowd gathered outside. The Mafia, who owned the bar, showed up. The crowd began to sing, “We Shall Overcome.” But what set it off was when a woman was hit in the head with a baton for complaining that her handcuffs were too tight and shouted to the crowd of supporters, “Why don’t you guys do something?”

They did.

The riots lasted several nights, with the police escalating their violence due to their humiliation the first night. A mob threatened to burn down the offices of the Village Voice after their reporting included several homophobic slurs and derogatory phrases. Various incidents popped up for days.

So if you go to a Pride parade or celebration, remember that you’re not attending Halloween in the summer. You’re attending a celebration of the day oppressed people had enough and fought back.

Anyway, on to music: Here are five LGBT+ artists other than Elton John, Liberace, the Village People, Freddie Mercury or all the other lazy choices hacky writers are going to list all month.

Placebo — “Pure Morning”

While not exactly known as gay icons in the U.S.—or known at all by many—in the U.K., Placebo was scandalous. Singer Brian Molko’s bisexuality and androgynous style, cofounder and bassist Stefan Olsdal’s homosexuality and the song “Nancy Boy,” off their first album, caused many pearls to be clutched on the other side of the Atlantic.

You may be wondering why I didn’t include “Nancy Boy” in the list. Well, because I love “Pure Morning,” and I think more people should hear it. It’s a great, underappreciated song. You can listen to the other song on your own time.

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Judas Priest — “You Got Another Thing Comin'”

Regular readers of my column, or occasional readers of my column, or people who have met me could probably guess that metal is my religion and Judas is my priest. But its inclusion may still be a surprise considering the theme. Well, if you paid attention to Judas Priest—everyone should pay attention to Judas Priest all the time—you’d know that frontman and metal god Rob Halford came out as gay in 1998 after nearly 30 years in the band.

You’d also know if you listened to the lyrics of the band’s 1977 song “Raw Deal.” It was definitely a different time in terms of understanding and perception that it wasn’t considered him officially coming out.

Pet Shop Boys — “Opportunities”

It’s not intentional that the first three bands in this column are from the U.K., in case you were wondering.

The Pet Shop Boys’ Neil Tennant is openly gay and active in LGBT+ causes. But you and I both know that wasn’t the deciding factor in this song’s inclusion. It’s featured in that one commercial and gets stuck in my head for hours every time it comes on, so if you were wondering what the dude and his hood ornament are singing, this is it. You’re welcome.

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Frankie Goes to Hollywood — “Relax”

Lead singer Holly Johnson was originally named William but changed it in honor of member of Andy Warhol’s factory, subject of Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side,” and trans icon Holly Woodlawn. So, I shouldn’t have to explain this one. And even if that didn’t do it, I direct your attention to the music video.

In 1984, when this song was new, the BBC banned it after a DJ was so scandalized he took the record off the turntable live on air in disgust. Nearly 30 years later, a performer was wearing a “Frankie Says Relax” T-shirt during the opening ceremony of the Olympics shortly after a video appearance by the Queen. Things are obviously not perfect, but the world came a long way in a short period of time.

Also, I know, another U.K. band. I’ll pick an American one next.

Against Me! — “Osama Bin Laden as the Crucified Christ”

Founder, frontwoman and creative force Laura Jane Grace came out as trans in 2012. The band’s subsequent album, Gender Dysphoria Blues, on which this song appears, obviously does not shy away from tackling the subject. But Against Me! obviously didn’t stray from its anarcho-punk roots and, as much as I love “Thrash Unreal,” I still prefer my punk music to make someone really angry.

Anyway, even though trans people led the Stonewall riots, trans rights have lagged behind gay rights and are the most heavily under attack today, especially against children. So do something to help your fellow human beings and take steps to stop it. Donate money, call your representatives in the House and Senate, educate your friends and family. And, if you’re called on to do so, help smash Greenwich Village to support people who were arrested under bigoted and unjust laws.

Follow editor Daniel J. Willis and tweet column ideas to him at Twitter.com/BayAreaData.