June 1st marks the beginning of Pride Month where we celebrate the history, culture, activism, and achievements of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual/Aromantic and other people with diverse gender and sexual identities (LGBTQIA+). We honor this observance each year during the month of June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City.
The Stonewall Uprising began on June 28, 1969 when New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar that provided community and refuge for the community. During this time, LGBTQIA+ bars and restaurants were frequently raided by police. However, this time, frustrated bar patrons fought back. The commotion on Christopher Street sparked outrage from local community members leading to six days of protests and violent run-ins with the police outside of the Stonewall Inn. Though the uprising did not start the Gay Rights Movement, it was a catalyst for a nationwide movement for gay rights with leaders such as Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Stormé DeLarverie, and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy at the forefront.
On the one year anniversary of the Uprising, thousands gathered to march from the Stonewall Inn to Central Park in what was known as "Christopher Street Liberation Day", America's first gay pride parade. Since then, LGBTQIA+ people across the country (and the world) have continued to come together in June to establish their own Pride traditions including parades, memorials, rallies. In June 1999, former President Bill Clinton became the first President to recognize Gay and Lesbian Pride Month at the federal level. Most recently, former President Joe Biden renamed the observance to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Pride Month in 2022.
With more than 500 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills introduced across the U.S. this past legislative session and increased threats of violence against LGTBQIA+ people and their families, we continue to honor to the historical roots of Pride by bringing awareness to the systemic inequities, violence, and discrimination the community continues to face today. Pride Month honors the visibility of those in the community and their continuous struggle for equality.
If you'd like to know more about what you can do or how you can support the community, we've shared a few resources below.
- Being an LGBTQ+ Ally - HRC
- Guide to Being An Ally to Trans and Nonbinary People - PFLAG
- Pronouns Guide - GLSEN
- State Legislation and LGBTQ+ Rights - HRC
- Advocacy in 10 Minutes or Less! - PFLAG
- Library of Congress Research Guide: LGBTQ+ Legal Resources
- GLAAD Pride Month Resource Kit
- Anne Arundel County Public Library Pride Month Events