A Celebratory Commemoration
LGBTQ+ Pride Month in the United States is a celebration of everything members of the community bring to our culture, and a commemoration of the people who have suffered or lost their lives because of prejudice, oppression, and many times violence.
The social movement to secure the rights of LGBTQ+ people began in the early 1900s, slowly gaining momentum all throughout the1960s until one June night in New York City. The Stonewall Inn, a known gay club, was raided by police, inciting riots lasted for six days, making the gay rights movement world-wide news.
One year later, community members and activists organized gay pride parades to commemorate the riots, marching down city streets across America.
In June 2000, President Bill Clinton officially designated June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month; the name was changed in 2009 by President Barack Obama to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month. In 2016, President Obama made the Stonewall Inn along with seven surrounding acres a national monument.
At first, “Gay Pride Day” was on the last Sunday of June, but eventually it expanded into a month-long celebration. People began hosting activities like parades, picnics, parties, conferences, and concerts. Today, pride month events attract millions globally, underscoring its importance. In some countries, pride events are still considered protests and can be very dangerous for people who attend or support.
Ways To Observe Pride Month
In addition to marching in a parade, a great way to mark the month is learn more about the LGBTQ+ community and the individual communities within the whole. Explore historic topics like The Mattachine Society, the AIDS epidemic, ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’, and the legalization of gay marriage
Read or listen to queer people share their stories to understand how all parts of their identity affect their life experience—an idea known as intersectionality. People who have more than one minority identity (i.e. race, gender, ability, religion, age, etc.) often have more challenges to face.
For example, according to The Trevor Project, one in four Black, transgender and nonbinary young people report attempting suicide in the past year—a disproportionately high rate compared to all LGBTQ+ youth.
Support LGBTQ+ youth is a great way to celebrate and show pride in June and all year round. Youth who feel supported by their parents, educators, and peers have a dramatically lower rates of suicidal thoughts or actions. Find resources and get involved through some of the organizations listed here:
GLAAD
GLAAD works through entertainment, news, and digital media to share stories from the LGBTQ community that accelerate acceptance.
The National LGBTQ Task Force
The National LGBTQ Task Force is dedicated to achieving freedom and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer people, and their families through proactive, targeted, change-inducing initiatives.
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is celebrating the changemakers building a world where LGBTQ+ young people are embraced as their authentic selves.
Which Flag Is That?
The Center for Inclusion and Social Change at the University of Colorado Boulder created this Pride Flag Guide. See all 26 flags and read their meanings and histories.
