Pride Month

Pride Month is an annual observance held in June to celebrate and recognize the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning) community. It serves as a time to honor the achievements and contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as to promote equality, diversity, and inclusivity. The origins of Pride Month can be traced back to the Stonewall Riots, which took place in June 1969 in New York City. The riots were a series of spontaneous demonstrations by members of the LGBTQ+ community in response to a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar at the time. The events of the Stonewall Riots were pivotal in sparking the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. Since then, Pride Month has become an opportunity for LGBTQ+ people and their allies to come together, raise awareness, and advocate for equal rights and acceptance. It is marked by a variety of events, including parades, marches, festivals, workshops, panel discussions, and community gatherings. The rainbow flag, designed by artist Gilbert Baker in 1978, has become a widely recognized symbol of LGBTQ+ pride and is prominently displayed during Pride Month. Pride Month aims to promote visibility and acceptance, challenge discrimination and prejudice, support LGBTQ+ rights, and foster a sense of belonging and community for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. It is an important time for celebrating diversity and advocating for a more inclusive society.