Celebrating Pride Month 2022

Pride is usually celebrated with big parades and marches, but with social distancing restrictions still in place because of the coronavirus pandemic, things will be a little different this year.

Find out more about what Pride is all about, and how it is celebrated below...

What Is Pride Month?

Pride Month is an entire month dedicated to the uplifting of LGBTQ voices, a celebration of LGBTQ culture, and the support of LGBTQ rights. Throughout June, nationwide, there have traditionally been parades, protests, drag performances, live theater and memorials, and celebrations of life for members of the community who lost their lives to HIV/AIDS. It is part political activism, part celebration of all the LGBTQ community has achieved over the years.

Why Do We Celebrate Pride Month?

Pride Month was initially inspired by the 1969 Stonewall Uprising and works to achieve equal justice and opportunity for LGBTQ Americans. The purpose of the month is to recognize the impact that LGBTQ individuals have had on society locally, nationally, and internationally.

These are groups of people who for so long-lived in the closet and hid their real identities, I think it’s very important to make note of that, and also to make note of the fact that things are still not perfect. Yes, we have same-sex marriage, but we don’t have adoption rights in every single state. We don’t have the same employment rights in every single state. We still have students kicked out of their homes for coming out. Things are still problematic in our daily lives. I think those things need to be brought forward and need to be talked about. That awareness is why these pride events are so important.

The Stonewall riots were important protests that took place in 1969 in the US, that changed gay rights for a lot of people in America and around the world.

What is the Stonewall Uprising?

The Stonewall Uprising occurred on June 28, 1969, and was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. In the 1960s, the Stonewall Inn in New York City’s Greenwich Village was a gay club and refuge for many in the LGBTQ community. On June 28, 1969, the New York City police raided the inn, sparking a riot among bar patrons and neighborhood residents with the police. The riot involved hundreds of people and led to six days of protests and violent clashes with law enforcement outside the bar on Christopher Street, in neighboring streets, and nearby Christopher Park.

A year later on June 28, thousands of people marched from the Stonewall Inn to Central Park in what was then called “Christopher Street Liberation Day” — marking what is now recognized as the nation’s first gay pride parade.  Since 1970, LGBTQ+ people and allies have continued to gather together in June to march with pride and demonstrate equal rights.

Here are some easy ways to celebrate:

• March!Last year saw many Pride celebrations canceled amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but this year many Pride marches are going forward in person. Just make sure to check your state and local guidelines. This year's Pride theme is "The Fight Continues." Remember, Pride started as a protest!
• Get involved.Whether it's working for a phone or text bank or attending town halls virtually, make your voice known.

LGBT+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. The + is an inclusive symbol to mean 'and others' to include people of all identities.

Pride is a celebration of people coming together in love and friendship, to show how far LGBTQ+ rights have come, and how in some places there's still work to be done.

Pride month is about acceptance, and equality, celebrating the work of LGBTQ+ people, education in LGBTQ+ history, and raising awareness of issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community.  It also calls for people to remember how damaging homophobia was and still can be.

Pride is all about being proud of who you are no matter who you love.