June Is Pride Month — Why It Is Important
Everyone loves June. It’s the beginning of summer and time to get out and show off that beach body you’ve been working so hard on. June is also Pride Month, a time to celebrate LGBTQIA+ people and what they have done for the world. If you don’t quite understand why Pride month is important, here is some background information to help get you caught up.
History of Pride Month
Pride month is every June and started to honor the Stonewall uprising on June 28, 1969. On this day, police raided the Stonewall Inn in New York City. When the police became violent, the patrons of the Stonewall and other gay and lesbian bars in the area fought back and started the Stonewall riots. This ignited the movement for gay and lesbian rights in America.
Important LGBTQ+ Activists
June is also an excellent time to learn about some of the activists that have supported LGBTQ+ rights over the years.
Some of the LGBTQ+ activists you should learn more about include:
● Marsha P. Johnson
● Sylvia Rivera
● Harvey Milk
● Alexya Salvador
● Alice Nkom
How to Celebrate Pride Month?
Traditions and celebrations are important with any holiday, why not with Pride month too!
However, if you aren’t sure what you should do to celebrate, here are a few ideas:
● Attend LGBTQ+ Events in your area. Each year Pride parades are held all over the country, with major events held in New York City and San Francisco.
● Watch movies and shows relating to LGBTQ+ topics like Birdcage, Brokeback Mountain, Milk, The L Word, and so many more.
● Support LGBTQ+ businesses online and locally.
● Show your colors. During Pride Month and all year, you can find many great shirts and outfits showcasing the rainbow flag.
Show Your Support All Year
While there are many events and things to do during Pride Month, don’t forget that you can celebrate and learn more all year long. Read up on LGBTQ+ activists, and watch LGBTQ+ programming. You can also learn more about how you can help support the community no matter what time of year.
