Pride Month is officially here, bringing events, marches, parades, festivities and commemorations dedicated to the LGBTQ community to American cities and countries around the world.
The annual commemoration recognizes those who identify as members of the LGBTQ community, as well as their supporters and allies.
Pride Month events typically culminate on June 28, the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City.
While celebrations often mark the occasion, Pride is also a call for greater unity, visibility and equality for the LGBTQ community, and is also a time to reflect on the history and milestones of the past 50 years.
What does Pride Month mean? According to GLAAD, the annual recognition “provides an opportunity for the community to come together, take stock and recognize the progress and setbacks of the past year. It is also an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate in a festive, affirming atmosphere.”
To learn more about the month-long recognition, see below for facts about the meaning of Pride Month, the history behind why it is celebrated, the meaning of the rainbow flag, a list of notable events in 2024, as well as key resources and other helpful information. information.
Here’s what you need to know.
What is Pride Month?
From June 1 to 30, Pride Month spotlights LGBTQ voices and celebrates LGBTQ culture, achievements and activism through a series of organized activities, including film festivals, art exhibitions, marches, concerts and other programs throughout the month.
Through these efforts, the LGBTQ community and its allies aim to highlight LGBTQ voices, increase awareness and knowledge about issues of inequality, and commemorate the lives lost to violence and the AIDS crisis.
Why is Pride Month in June?
Pride Month is celebrated in June in honor of the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, a milestone in LGBTQ history.
In the late 1960s, it was largely illegal to be openly homosexual in most places. In New York in particular, the rule was that the simple presence of someone who is gay or genderqueer counted as disorderly conduct, effectively banning gay bars.
On June 28, 1969, patrons of the Stonewall Inn, a popular bar with a diverse LGBTQ clientele, stood their ground after police raided the establishment. The resulting clash led to days of rioting and protests known as the Stonewall Uprising.
A year later, on the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, thousands of people poured through the streets of Manhattan during the Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day March, considered the first ever gay pride event.
How did Pride Month start?
Before Pride became a month-long commemoration, it was initially recognized as Gay Pride Day, celebrated annually on the last Sunday in June.
However, as awareness increased, more activities and events were planned throughout the month, and eventually Gay Pride Day evolved into the month-long recognition we now observe as Pride Month.
The designation became official in 1999 when President Bill Clinton officially declared June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month, setting the month aside as a time to recognize the achievements of the LGBTQ community and support the community.
What is the symbol of pride?
The rainbow flag is universally recognized as a symbol of LGBTQ pride. It was created by famous San Francisco activist Gilbert Baker.
According to Baker, “the rainbow of humanity” is meant to symbolize all genders and races.
Each of the six colors of the rainbow flag represents a different aspect of the LGBTQ movement: life, healing, sunlight, nature, serenity and spirit.
In 2017, Philadelphia added a black and brown stripe to their flag to symbolically represent LGBTQ people of color who often felt marginalized in their own communities.
Today, many organizations have adopted the flag, and some have added the colors of the transgender pride flag, namely baby blue and light pink.
You can find a complete list of LGBTQ flags and their meanings here.
How can I participate in Pride Month 2024?
In addition to reading LGBTQ-inspired books or posting a meaningful Pride Month quote on Instagram, you can participate in one of the nationwide celebrations held throughout the month of June.
One of the largest Pride marches takes place in New York City, the birthplace of the modern gay rights movement. This year’s NYC Pride parade will take place on Sunday, June 30.
The annual event is one of the largest Pride events in the country and attracts almost 2 million visitors.
Here is a list of some US cities hosting Pride Month events this year:
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Baltimore: June 10 – 16, 2024
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Chicago: Pride Fest, June 22 – 23, 2024; Pride parade, June 22
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Denver: June 22 – 23, 2024
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Detroit: June 8 – 9, 2024
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Key West: June 5 – 9, 2024
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Los Angeles: June 8 – 9, 2024
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Nashville: June 22 – 23, 2024
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New Orleans: June 7 – 9, 2024
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New York: June 30, 2024
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Philadelphia: June 2, 2024
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Portland: June 20 – 21, 2024
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County City, RI: May 31 – June 2, 2024
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San Francisco: June 29 – 30, 2024
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Seattle: June 30, 2024
Other important dates during Pride Month
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5 June: HIV Long-Term Survivors Dayhonors and increases visibility around issues and needs of HIV survivors
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12 June: Puls Remembrance Daya memorial to the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in 2016
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June 19: Juneteentha commemoration of African American culture and the emancipation of African American slaves
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June 27: National HIV Testing Dayencourages individuals to get tested for HIV
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June 28: Anniversary of the Stonewall Riotscommemorates the Stonewall Uprising of 1969
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June 30th: Queer Youth of Faith Dayto celebrate and empower LGBTQ youth of different faiths
LGBTQ Pride Month Resources
For more information about Pride Month or additional ways to get involved, check out the following resources:
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GLAAD, a non-governmental agency created to promote LGBTQ acceptance while identifying and preventing discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals.
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GLSEN, a network of students, families and educational institutions, advocates for facilitating LGBTQ safety and support in schools.
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The Equality Federation is an LGBTQ advocacy organization dedicated to helping advance the rights of LGBTQ people.
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The National LGBTQ Task Force, an advocacy organization dedicated to advancing freedom, justice, and equality for LGBTQ people.
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The Library of Congress, for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Pride Month history.
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The Anti-Defamation League, an anti-hate organization dedicated to the fight against prejudice, extremism, discrimination or hatred.
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The American Civil Liberties Union is committed to preserving and defending the rights and freedoms of American citizens.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
