What is the Gayest Month of the Year?
Pride Month marks an occasion to recognize lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) culture. Commemoration began on June 28th to honor the 1969 Stonewall uprising, during which patrons at a Manhattan gay bar rose up against police raids on them.
Pride events can range from celebratory parades and festivals, political protests and solemn memorial services for victims of homophobic violence. USA TODAY takes a deeper look into Pride history and how it ties in to LGBT History Month.
June
June is LGBTQ Pride month and commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Uprising where trans women and gay men at a New York bar called Stonewall Inn rose up against police harassment to start the Gay Liberation Movement. Parades, picnics, parties and memorials for those lost due to HIV or AIDS take place nationwide during this month of festivities.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride is an international movement advocating for equality for all people. Its three main premises are that people should take pride in their sexual orientation or gender identity; everyone deserves equal rights and opportunities; and sexual diversity is part of human nature.
Every June, Downtown San Francisco comes alive with one of the biggest gay pride parades worldwide. Along with this event, several other celebrations and educational initiatives take place across the city to commemorate LGBTQ Pride while raising awareness about discrimination and violence.
This month you can also attend LGBT pride events in Columbus, Ohio; Denver, Colorado; and Vienna, Austria. These celebrations of pride include marches, parties and festivals to recognize LGBTQ community achievements and accomplishments.
Today is Pride month, an opportunity to recognize the achievements and contributions made by LGBTQ individuals worldwide, while learning from their strength and resilience to create an accepting world for all.
July
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month is an opportunity for LGBTQ community members to embrace and be proud of their identities. Parades, parties, workshops and concerts around the globe bring people from all backgrounds together. Pride movement events range from carnivalesque celebrations to political protests or solemn memorial services for those lost due to homophobic violence or AIDS.
Pride Month can be traced back to June 1969 in New York City when patrons at Stonewall Inn rebelled against an attempted police raid, sparking days of violent rioting that would help pave the way for today’s modern gay rights movement. Today’s celebrations typically feature parades and other events filled with bright colors, music and festive festivities to honor this historical milestone.
Events taking place this month could include Spirit Day, when people wear purple to show support for LGBT youth; Ally Week – an occasion when allies of anti-LGBT bullying come together – and Matthew Shepard Day, which commemorates the death of a 21-year-old killed for being openly gay. President Obama established Stonewall National Monument as a lasting tribute to its roots of modern LGBTQ movements in 2016.
While Pride activities take place primarily in large cities and towns, smaller events also take place across rural areas and those areas that have yet to experience similar levels of repression or discrimination against homosexuals. Pride serves as a reminder that regardless of one’s geographical origins, everyone deserves the chance to live freely without prejudice.
August
While Pride happens annually in June, August marks a month-long celebration of LGBTQ community members everywhere and those who have made significant contributions. No matter your orientation – openly gay or just supportive allies alike – it’s important to reach out and show the people closest to us how much they mean to us.
As an added treat, June is also the ideal month for watching films like Sean Penn’s “Milk”, which depicts the life and struggles of openly gay politician Harvey Milk. The movie serves as a powerful reminder of all we’ve accomplished since then!
Originaly known as Sextilis and later Augustus in honor of Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar. August is also typically the month when most people take vacation and spend quality time with family or friends, making this period one of great peace and relaxation.
While some cities hold their Pride celebrations in June, many opt to host them in August to commemorate the Stonewall uprising that occurred in New York City in 1969 and launched the modern gay rights movement. Since then, Pride has grown into an annual worldwide event fighting for equality and acceptance – as well as remember those who have struggled over time as well as standing up for what you believe in and being proud of who you are no matter your sexual orientation or identity status! Everyone can participate by attending parades or wearing rainbow-colored apparel in support of Pride!
September
LGBT History Month marks a month-long effort to raise awareness about LGBTQ history and culture worldwide, not only celebrating but recognizing their contribution.
“Homophobic Awareness Month” serves to remember those affected by hate crimes and HIV/AIDS, and promote equality for all regardless of sexuality, be they gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or straight.
At various events throughout the month, lectures and workshops that aim to inform students on the history of LGBT people take place, along with Pride marches commemorating diversity within communities – not all participants must belong to LGBTQ communities, but participating is an excellent way to show your support!
Learn about LGBTQ history through a film like Sean Penn’s “Milk.” It provides a great glimpse of where this movement started and can give an overview of its background.
Pride celebrations have taken place annually since the 1969 Stonewall uprising, which led to a renewed push for gay rights. Largely organized by Brenda Howard – known as the ‘Mother of Pride’ – these gatherings have since spread worldwide as symbols of equality rights fight.
If you’re searching for an amazing place to celebrate Pride 2022, Dallas could be just what you need! Every year the LGBT community gathers there in celebration, including street parades and parties – an unforgettable experience that you won’t want to miss! Lucky’s Retro Diner serves pancakes and coffee for breakfast to ensure an amazing start to your day in Dallas.
October
LGBT History Month is held each October to commemorate and raise awareness about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. It began when Missouri high school teacher Rodney Wilson noticed his students weren’t learning about homosexual people or the LGBT rights movement in school. To raise awareness, Wilson decided a month should be set aside specifically for LGBT history – selecting October as it already held National Coming Out Day on October 11 and was host of the first march for lesbian and gay rights held by Congress in 1979.
Today, LGBTQ History Month is an international observance held across multiple nations, not to be confused with Pride Month which occurs each June and is focused on raising visibility of the LGBTQ community and movement for equality. Pride Month honors historic figures while LGBTQ History Month teaches about their contributions to society.
Each year, Equality Forum selects 31 LGBT icons throughout history and recognizes one each day during LGBT History Month. Their videos and biographies give students more information about these inspiring figures; all this serves to remind society that all lives should be valued equally.
October is an opportunity to honor those who support and appreciate you, and express that love back. Additionally, October serves as an occasion to recognize our vibrant LGBTQ community – whether that means wearing a pink triangle pin or making donations to an LGBTQ organization.
