Pride Month symbolizes a huge change that has been happening in our society over time, the roots of which date back to June 28, 1969. That night, police raided The Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Greenwich Village. This resulted in patrons, staff, and neighborhood staff protesting on the streets. This movement continued over six days with a clear message - a demand for the establishment of places where LGBTQ+ people could go and be open without fear of arrest.
The first Pride event happened a year later, in 1970 in NYC. This event was the catalyst for the worldwide parades and marches that followed. Though it is important to note that prejudice is still very real, and we have a long way to go in this struggle for equal rights.
Pride Month is a great time to shine a light on LGBTQ+ issues, and amplify the voices, lives, and contributions LGBTQ+ individuals. The queer and trans community is one of the most marginalized communities, and it is important to identify and acknowledge the discrimination and violence that exists in order to continue to make change and progress.
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What is Pride Month and the History of Pride? - them
“Around the world, Pride celebrations take a variety of forms, from parades to parties to protests and proms. Since the start of the modern LGBTQ+ liberation movement in the 1970s, hundreds of independent Pride events have sprung up in cities worldwide, each distinctly local and generally tied in some way to the foundational Stonewall Riots in June.”
This Queer History Instagram is Teaching LGBTQ+ People What We Didn’t Learn in School - them
"Being denied history is a fundamental part of queer persecution; dominant cultures work very hard to diminish the importance of our lives and our stories."
Pride Month - June 2022 - National Today
“Pride Month is celebrated every June as a tribute to those who were involved in the Stonewall Riots. We’re getting ready to dust off our rainbow flags, douse ourselves in glitter, and go join in the fun. With parades, festivals, and concerts going on across the globe, there’s always some way for you to get involved — as well as learn some important social history along the way.”
LGBTQ History - Smithsonian National Museum of American History
“LGBTQ+ history is a part of American history that the museum has been documenting since its founding, both knowingly and unknowingly.”
It’s Pride Month - Here’s what you need to know - CNN
“June is Pride Month, when the world’s LGBT communities come together and celebrate the freedom to be themselves. Pride gatherings are rooted in the arduous history of minority groups who have struggled for decades to overcome prejudice and be accepted for who they are.”
WATCH
Beyond Stonewall - Available on Paramount Plus
“The Stonewall riots sparked a new attitude and activism around LGBTQ rights. Half a century later, revisit the historic moment that began a movement and explore objects from the Smithsonian Institution that tell stories of the gay experience in America. Examine a donation can from America's first gay pride march, Matthew Shepard's personal belongings, and notes written to Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church. Includes footage from Lilli Vincenz's films "Gay and Proud" and "The Second Largest Minority."
Lucky Charms cereal is celebrating Pride Month with #LuckyToBe Campaign - GLAAD
“In honor of LGBT Pride Month, Lucky Charms cereal has launched its #LuckyToBe campaign, which encourages people to share what makes them unique and why they feel lucky to be living in such a colorful world. The campaign upholds the following ideas: "We don't all look the same, believe the same things, or love the same people. And that's a good thing. It makes our world more interesting. Special. Beautiful. Magical."
A Fantastic Woman - Netflix
“Marina and Orlando are in love and planning for the future. Marina is a young waitress and aspiring singer. Orlando is 20 years older than her, and owns a printing company. After celebrating Marina's birthday one evening, Orlando falls seriously ill. Marina rushes him to the emergency room, but he passes away just after arriving at the hospital.
Instead of being able to mourn her lover, suddenly Marina is treated with suspicion… Marina is a trans woman and for most of Orlando's family, her sexual identity is an aberration, a perversion. So Marina struggles for the right to be herself. She battles the very same forces that she has spent a lifetime fighting just to become the woman she is now - a complex, strong, forthright and fantastic woman.”
Philadelphia - Amazon Prime
Fearing it would compromise his career, lawyer Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks) hides his homosexuality and HIV status at a powerful Philadelphia law firm. But his secret is exposed when a colleague spots the illness's telltale lesions. Fired shortly afterwards, Beckett resolves to sue for discrimination, teaming up with Joe Miller (Denzel Washington), the only lawyer willing to help. In court, they face one of his ex-employer's top litigators, Belinda Conine (Mary Steenburgen).
RuPaul’s Drag Race - Paramount Plus
The world's most famous drag queen, RuPaul, plays three roles: host, judge and mentor in the reality-competition show that aims to crown "America's Next Drag Superstar."
LISTEN
Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness - Apple Podcasts
“A weekly exploration of all the things Jonathan Van Ness (Queer Eye, Gay of Thrones) is curious about. Come on a journey with Jonathan and experts in their respective fields as they get curious about anything and everything under the sun.”
Homo Sapiens - Apple Podcasts
“The world from a Queer perspective: Conversations, Stories, and a good old laugh with LGBTQ+ icons, allies, and of course, our lovely listeners. Come and join the Homo Sapiens family with new episodes every Thursday - the more the merrier!”
History is Gay! - With Leigh Pfeffer (they/them)
“History is Gay is a monthly podcast where two queer nerds use their passion for social justice, history, and storytelling to examine the overlooked and under appreciated queer ladies, gents, and gentle-enbies from the unexplored corners of history. Because history has never been as straight as you think. We kept talking about how many LGBT+ folk have always existed in human history, but we're erased or sidelined or 'just friended' away. So we decided that if no one else was going to do it, we would!”
ATTEND
Pride in the CLE March
The annual Pride in the CLE™ March kicks off our celebration as a reminder that Pride is not a moment, but a movement. We continue to honor the history and foundational ideas that make Pride special to this day with our march. This visible demonstration of support for the LGBTQ+ community shows that we cannot and will not be silent in our march towards equality for all.
Saturday, June 4th @ 12pm ET
Near Public Square
Downtown Cleveland
WeHo Pride Weekend
For decades, the City of West Hollywood has been home to one of the largest Pride celebrations in the nation. Hundreds of thousands of LGBTQ people and allies from across the region and around the world make West Hollywood their regular destination during Pride. WeHo Pride Weekend celebrations in and around West Hollywood Park will include a free WeHo Pride Street Fair representing a diverse array of LGBTQ+ community groups as part of visibility, expression, and celebration; a 3-day ticketed OUTLOUD Raising Voices Music Festival, and the inaugural WeHo Pride Parade.
June 3-5, 2022
West Hollywood Park
647 N. San Vicente Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90048
NYC Pride Events
“Our events offer a diverse array of opportunities to gather in activism, in protest, in celebration, and in advocacy. The variety of offerings across all of our events represents the diversity of ways our community acknowledges and celebrates Pride.The legendary NYC Pride March has been a symbol of our presence in the community for more than a half-century. Youth Pride has become a central hub for youth to gather in a safe space, unite with their friends, and make new ones. PrideFest has offered opportunities for small businesses and organizations to connect with our community in a free and open street fair, while Pride Island has been a symbol of our ability to dance and celebrate publicly.”
Check website for all dates & times
SUPPORT
The Trevor Project
“The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people.”
