Celebrating Pride Month

By: Chestiny Fair, Faculty Member and Coordinator for Bryan U’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Awareness Committee (IDEA Committee).

June 2023 marks the 53rd anniversary of LGBTQ+ Pride traditions. Let’s take a moment to learn about the celebration and how it began.

On June 28th, 1969, the Stonewall Inn was raided, resulting in a riot on the streets surrounding the inn. Over the next six days, many LGBTQ+ leaders protested and demanded that there should be places where the LGBTQ+ community could be open about their sexual orientation without concerns of arrest. 

The recognition of this day and the protests to follow eventually morphed into what we know as the New York City Pride March which took place on June 28, 1970, on the first anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.

It wasn’t until 1999 that the first U.S. President, Bill Clinton, officially recognized Pride Month. Then from 2009 to 2016, President Barack Obama declared June LGBT Pride Month. In 2019 President Donald Trump recognized Pride Month with a tweet launching a global campaign to decriminalize how one classifies their sexuality. 

Many countries around the world, including the United States, have made tremendous strides in accepting individuals, no matter their sexual orientation. If you travel through big cities across the country, you’ll see LGBTQ+ flags flying proudly on both city streets and throughout residential areas. 

Rallies, parades, parties, workshops, and countless other events occur during Pride Month allowing everyone to embrace who they are – in style – and be surrounded by the support of other members of the community.

As we enter the month of June, let’s all take time to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community and the Stonewall Uprising.