International LGBT Pride Day commemorates the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City, where members of the community rebelled against the police in protest. It is considered the beginning of the modern struggle for LGBT rights.

Seven trans icons were honored this Thursday at the historic Stonewall Inn in New York City, a symbol of the LGBT community, by loved ones and activists who denounced the "erasure" of their rights under the administration of Republican Donald Trump.

The event was led by Latina activist Nicole Murray Ramírez, known as the "Queen Mother of the Americas" and "Emperor Nicole the Great," and the leader of the Imperial Court System, one of the largest and oldest LGBT organizations in the country.

Murray Ramírez, wearing a long red sequined dress, with her hair and makeup done for the occasion, and adorned with striking earrings, held a fan with the face of one of the honorees, "La Pantoja de Puerto Rico," Ruddys Martínez, a pioneer of drag who guided the island's gay community.

"Even though you're no longer here physically, your presence lives on in every step, every stage that rises, and every heart that fights freely," said in Spanish a young man, Joe Alameda, who described himself as one of Mami Ruddys's many "sons" and now runs the foundation in her name after her death in 2023.

Activists chose seven transgender people who have had an impact since the late 19th century, such as Dr. Alan Hart, the first documented case of gender "reaffirmation" surgery, for which he used eugenics theory to his advantage and, citing "sexual deviance," received a hysterectomy.

The most recent deaths, this year 2025, were drag star Jiggly Caliente from the reality show RuPaul's Drag Race, and young Sam Nordquist, who was tortured and murdered in New York, a case in which seven people are accused and which shocked society.

One of the most repeated words of the afternoon was "erase," which activists believe the Trump administration is doing to the trans community and its history through numerous laws that strip them of visibility and rights, and they also denounced the violence against them.

"They have declared a cultural war against us," added Murray Ramírez, a contemporary of Harvey Milk and César Chaves, who quoted civil rights activist Malcolm X with a touch of cheekiness: "Read my silicone lips, we will protect our community with all necessary means."

And "Nicole the Great" added: "I remind you that we are not the only community under attack. We must defend the undocumented and refugee communities, a woman's right to choose," the Black community "whose vote is being suppressed," and the Jewish and Muslim communities, among others.

The trans icons honored will join a "Wall of Honor" that was inaugurated in 2019 inside the Stone Wall Inn, where the 1960s riots that would give rise to the LGBT rights movement and the Pride marches took place, and which is now a lively, light-filled bar.