Why is Pride month celebrated in June?
On the 28th June 1969, the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich village, Manhattan was raided by police. This venue was a popular place for the LGBTQ+ community and following this a series of demonstrations were held to protest against the raid and inspired global change for LGBTQ+ rights. As a result of this, each year during the month of June LGBTQ+ communities throughout the world commemorate these riots and the influence it had.
How is Pride celebrated each year?
Each year parades are a prominent part of Pride month, with many cities across the country taking part. As well as this there are street parties, public speaking’s and readings, street festivals and educational content is shared across many platforms. Pride month is so important because not only does it commemorate the Stonewall protests and the change that happened for the LGBTQ+ community, it is also an opportunity to raise political awareness of current issues this community still faces.
Who started the June celebration?
The first Pride parade was held on June 28th, 1970. Craig Rodwell, Fred Sargeant, Ellen Broidy and Linda Rhodes proposed the first parade to be held in New York, known then as the Christopher Street Liberation Day March, named after the street the Stonewall Inn was located on. “It took a new sense of audacity and courage to take that giant step into the streets of Midtown Manhattan” – Fred Sargeant.
What does pride mean to you?
Pride for me is the community coming together to support each other to feel confident in being themselves, in living their truth! To provide education and awareness so that progress continues to be made.
Also, Pride offers me a chance to reflect and give thanks to the people that paved the way so that I can love who I want without shame, so that I can hold my partners hand and be safe from persecution.
Lastly, I believe Pride is to inspire those that are still looking for strength to be themselves or do not have the support they deserve to live their lives just as everyone else has the right.
Danielle
(@theproudcrowd)
