June is Pride Month, the celebration of LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) culture, achievements, activities, and advancements that the community has made over the years.
It’s hard to believe, but as recently as the 60’s it was illegal to be openly gay. That means that one could go to jail simply for being gay or being in the presence of someone gay. On June 28, 1968, the police raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular bar frequented by the LGBTQ community. Rather than allow themselves to be arrested again for living their authentic lives, the patrons rebelled and stood their ground. This led to days of riots and protests which became known as the Stonewall Uprising.
On the one-year anniversary of the event, thousands gathered in Manhattan for the Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day March, which became known as the first gay pride event. President Bill Clinton declared June as “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month” in 1999 and in 2016 Barack Obama declared the Stonewall Inn a national monument. Today many major cities and even some smaller towns hold their versions of Pride Parades and celebrations as well as various events such as concerts, festivals, or other programs to commemorate and celebrate Pride Month.
Pride Month is a month-long celebration, but it should serve to remind us that “love is love” all year round. It’s a reminder of the importance of inclusion and acceptance, and of how far we’ve come, and of how far we still have to go.
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