Why Pride Exists
Everyone has heard about Pride Month – but do we know why it came to be held in June? Pride month is a celebration that promotes equality and acceptance for the entire LGBTQ+ community but it all began on June 28th of 1969 when being openly LBGTQ+ was criminalized in most of the United States. Police raids, arrests, and harassments were common occurrence. Stonewall Inn was one of these raids, a bar in New York City, where the police raided the bar and instead of accepting surrender – the community fought back. This is a landmark moment in LGBTQ+ history that celebrated the fight back and the protests against bigotry and inequality.
The first official pride parade was just one year after the Stonewall Uprising and it was a public announcement that was bold and brave – that they deserved to be seen and heard. By the mid 1970’s pride events became a vital point of activism across the globe for the LGBTQ+ communities. June was chosen to become pride month to honor the Stonewall uprising and the events that occurred afterwards to memorialize this major point in history. Pride is a celebration of individuality, love, acceptance, and equality – but also a memorial to remember the struggle for basic human rights, honor those lost to anti-LGBTQ+ violence, suicide, hate, and the HIV/AIDS Epidemic and to continue to gather support for the LGBTQ+ causes.
Pride month is also a point of activism and a call to action to allies to continue to remember the history, promote positive representation, speak out against bigotry and discrimination, support inclusive policies, celebrate the people around you – friends, family, and colleagues who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community.
So – what are some ways we can get involved and support and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community as a whole – whether it be for yourself, someone you know, or just general support of the community.
Find a local pride parade or other LGBTQIA+ event
Learn and understand various mental health challenges LGBTQIA+ may experience to better understand where support is needed
Jessica Beckmann, LMHCA
Resources
Library of Congress. (2019). Research Guides: LGBTQ+ Studies: A Resource Guide: Stonewall Era and Uprising. Guides.loc.gov; Library of Congress. https://guides.loc.gov/lgbtq-studies/stonewall-era
About the Therapist
Jessica (she/they) is an associate licensed mental health counselor at Lost and Found Therapy. She is passionate about working with older adults, people from rural communities, and those navigating new stages and phases of life. She is currently open to new Telehealth clients (ages 15-65).
