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The Truth About Pride Month: 11 Myths and Facts Explained

Bryan University

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June has officially been recognized at Pride Month in the U.S. for more than 25 years! Not always by that name though. Today, Pride Month is well-known and celebrated across the world in a number of ways, from art exhibits and huge parades to virtual events and more. 

How much do you know about the month and its origins? We’re exploring 11 different myths and facts about the month. Let’s go!

Pride Month is just about parties and parades.

Myth! Pride began as a protest and continues to carry deep political and social significance. Search for the meaning of Pride Month online and you’ll find numerous people sharing their own experiences and explaining what it means for them. 

Pride Month commemorates the Stonewall Riots.

Fact! Pride Month was established to honor the 1969 uprising at the Stonewall Inn in NYC. 

The Stonewall Riots marked a significant shift in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, which had been ongoing for decades. 

On June 28, 1969, the NYPD raided the Stonewall Inn, a bar in Greenwich Village. Raids at bars where gay people were known to gather were routine at the time, but the impact of the Stonewall Riots was unprecedented. 

As the raid unfolded patrons and employees inside the bar were interrogated, and a crowd gathered outside. As patrons, employees, and the crowd fought back, police barricaded themselves inside Stonewall. The resistance lasted throughout the night, followed by days of protests across New York City. It was a turning point in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. 

Pride is only for the LGBTQ+ community

Myth! Allies, people who support LGBTQ+ rights but don’t identify as LGBTQ+ themselves, play a vital role in supporting and uplifting LGBTQ+ voices. 

Everyone in the LGBTQ+ community celebrates Pride the same way

Myth! Pride looks different for everyone and can be celebrated in a number of ways; from large events like parades and marches, to smaller at-home gatherings, and everything in between. There’s no single “right” way to observe Pride Month. 

There are multiple Pride flags, not just the rainbow version

Fact! The rainbow flag is the most well-known symbol of Pride, but there are actually over 30 different flags representing specific identities within the LGBTQ+ spectrum. The Human Rights Campaign’s website has a full guide to the different flags and what they mean.

Being LGBTQ+ is a new trend among young people

Myth! Queer identities have existed for centuries across every culture, the difference today is that there’s more visibility. In fact, according to recent studies, nearly 30% of Gen Z adults identify as LGBTQ+.

Pride Month is celebrated the same way around the world

Myth! While Pride Month is celebrated during the same month in many countries, celebrations are impacted by culture and local laws. 

Some of the biggest Pride celebrations are NYC Pride in New York City, Pride Toronto in Canada, and Sao Paulo Pride in Brazil. 

Fact! Annual Pride events have continued to incite change since the first Pride Parade took place a year after the Stonewall Riots. These include legal changes, social changes, public awareness, and more. 

LGBTQ+ rights are fully secured in most countries

Myth! LGBTQ+ identities are still criminalized in many places and rights are constantly under threat.

Harvey Milk was not the first openly gay elected official in the U.S. 

Fact! This is one of the most common misconceptions about LGBTQ+ history. That distinction belongs to Kathy Kozachenko, who made history as the first openly gay candidate to win public office in the United States when she won a city council seat in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1974. Harvey Milk wasn’t elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors until three years later in 1977. Kozachenko’s groundbreaking win often goes unrecognized.

Milk became an icon for his activism and a symbol of hope before he was assassinated in 1978. You can read more about the strides he made in this official biography, and there was also a movie made about him in 2008 called Milk. 

You have to attend a Pride parade to “really” celebrate Pride Month

Myth! You can celebrate and honor Pride month in whatever way you want to — from education and advocacy to art and community, there are numerous ways to take part. 

The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association, or IGLTA, is a great resource for finding Pride events across the globe. You can also find virtual events online or events local to you. 

You can also celebrate at home, articles like this one from Vice offer fun and creative ways to bring the celebration to you. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Pride Month

When is Pride Month?

Pride Month is celebrated every June in the United States and many other countries. 

Why is Pride Month in June?

June was chosen to honor the Stonewall Riots, which took place in late June 1969. 

Who started Pride Month?

Early activists organized the first march in 1970 to mark the one-year anniversary of Stonewall. Bisexual activist Brenda Howard is often credited as the “Mother of Pride” for her role in organizing that first march. 

Is Pride Month a federal holiday?

No. Pride Month is a nationally recognized observance in the U.S., but it is not a federal holiday.

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