What is Pride Month?
Around the world every June, rainbow flags wave high, and parades and events take place in celebration of Pride Month. The month honors the LGBTQ+ community, while also recognizing its journey toward equality, inclusion, and acceptance.
Pride Month is also a time to celebrate the community’s contributions to culture and history in the US, People reports. Read on to discover more about the history and significance of this yearly celebration.
A Celebration of Community
Pride Month is dedicated to recognizing LGBTQ+ voices, celebrating the community’s culture, and supporting equal rights. Throughout June, communities mark the occasion through events including parades, protests, drag performances, theater productions, and memorials honoring those who lost their lives to HIV/AIDS. The month combines advocacy with celebration, honoring the progress that has been made.
The History of Pride Month
Throughout much of US history, LGBTQ+ people were denied many basic civil rights, according to History. That began to change in June 1969 when a police raid at The Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in Greenwich Village, sparked days of protests and demonstrations. The Stonewall Riots became a turning point for the gay rights movement, helping bring greater visibility to the LGBTQ+ community.
Just one year later, activists gathered in Manhattan for a march honoring the uprising. The celebration eventually came to be known as the Gay Pride Parade, with pride events spreading across the world. Today, Pride Month is celebrated each June in honor of the Stonewall Riots and the LGBTQ+ activists who helped advance equal rights. In 2016, the area surrounding the Stonewall Inn was designated as the Stonewall National Monument, preserving an important site in LGBTQ+ history.
Ways to Celebrate Pride Month
The beauty of Pride Month is that there are so many ways to celebrate it. Whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, you can get involved by attending a Pride Parade, according to People.
Learning about LGBTQ+ history and culture through books, documentaries, and trusted online sources is another meaningful way to participate. Giving back by donating to LGBTQ+ organizations can also make a positive difference. Another way to show support is by exploring LGBTQ+ media and voices through movies, music, TV shows, books, podcasts, or art.
While Pride Month is often associated with celebration, the fight for equal rights still has a long way to go in the LGBTQ+ community. For many people, Pride offers a sense of visibility and belonging and encourages a more inclusive world for everyone.
