The rise and fall of ‘gay’ activism

Scott Yenor, First Things

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

The Pride flag is progressive America’s banner. Before it was ­unfurled, most gays stayed in the closet. With the advent of Pride, they became out and proud. Over time, gay pride came to be as American as baseball, apple pie, and the Declaration of Independence. There have been waves: first, second, and third, the last leading to the trans craze. But that movement is a freak show with totalitarian impulses.