Pride Month: Honouring History, Visibility, and the Ongoing Fight for Equality

Pride month is observed annually and is dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community. Pride month also stands as a time for us to reflect on civil rights issues and commemorating the abundant and significant history of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Pride Month is celebrated every June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall uprising is not only the reason we celebrate pride but also the reason we celebrate in June. On June 28th, 1969, a police raid was conducted at Stonewall Inn. Most homosexual acts were largely illegal; this forced the LGBTQ+ community to live in shadows. During this raid the community fought against the police harassment, this sparked a six-day historic protest. A year later, on the anniversary of Stonewall the first Pride marches happened in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

In that same year (1970) the concept of pride was officially coined by an activist named Craig Schoonmaker. Craig had a strong belief that focusing on self-respect and empowerment was the best cure to the shame society forced onto queer individuals. 

The pride movement spread globally but no federal recognition in the United States would come until 1999. President Bill Clinton declared June “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month”. Throughout modern years the name has been expanded by presidents such as Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

Throughout the journey of establishing Pride Month there were many significant individuals. Key figures include but are not limited to Brenda Howard (Know as the mother of Pride), Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and so much more.

Pride month is essential as it provides a powerful countermeasure to historical shame, isolation, and discrimination. For the LGBTQ+ community, it is a vital movement that fosters not only mental well-being, but life saving networks of support, and re-instates their fundamental right to exist authentically in the face of ongoing hostility. Pride month is a time for us to eradicate the shame and stigma surrounding queer people. In this day and age no one should feel fear or shame for something as beautiful as love. Pride month ensures visibility and advocates for human rights. 

There are many ways to celebrate pride. We can celebrate by attending local festivals, supporting LGBTQ+ businesses, educating ourselves on queer history, donating to advocacy organizations, or something simpler like supporting and LQBTQ+ author, artist, actor/actress, musician, director, etc. Immerse yourself in the community and listen to the different stories and experiences.

When it comes to pride month a large amount of the surrounding controversy is why we still need pride month. In an ideal world we don’t need any diversity months, but we still need pride month because the LGBTQ+ community continues to face systemic discrimination, erosion of legal rights, and targeted physical safety threats globally. This is a reminder that visibility saves lives. Pride month is about continuing to fight for global queer rights and preserving queer history.

I hope this pride month we can all practice meaningful allyship. Let this be a reminder that queer rights are human rights, and the fight for equality isn’t over yet.