Pride Month
June 1 - June 30
A Brief History of Gay Pride
In June of 1969, a group of LGBTQ+ people in New York City rioted following a police raid of the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar located on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village. This series of events was a turning point for the LGBTQ+ community and marks one of the most significant events leading to the modern gay rights movement. The following year in June, organized demonstrations took place in New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco to mark the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. As the years went on, additional cities in North America and Europe began to hold their own public demonstrations or pride day, eventually leading to what we know today as a gay pride parade, march, celebration or festival. Pride flags have also been an important part of the LGBTQ+ movement. They are a way to show progress, demand representation, and encourage collective action. There have been many different LGBTIQ+ flags over time. Some have changed, while others are still being made.
When is LGBTQ+ Pride?
In honor of the Stonewall riots and the demonstrations that took place the following year in major cities in the US, most cities around the world now hold their pride celebrations in the summer of the northern hemisphere and in particular in June. In many countries, June is officially recognized as pride month even though some cities may hold their pride events on alternate dates.
