Pride month is the promotion of the self-affirmation, dignity, equality and increased visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and asexual people (LGBTQIA+) as a social group. Pride as opposed to shame and social stigma, is the predominate outlook that drives most LGBTQIA+ rights movements.1 LGBTQIA+ is an inclusive way to represent all the different identities in the community.
The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that the LGBTQAI+ individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally. Pride Month is currently celebrated in June to honor The Stonewall Uprising of 1969 in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. Initially, the last Sunday in June was celebrated as “Gay Pride Day,” but the actual date was flexible. In major cities across the nation the “day” soon grew to encompass a month-long series of events.
Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBTQAI+ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The first Pride march in New York City was held on June 28, 1970 on the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.
About This Resource Guide
The Commonfund Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office, in conjunction with our Pride Month subcommittee has created a concise resource guide to help us all celebrate the contributions of Americans in the LGBTQIA+ Community. For the purpose of this guide, we will reference the acronyms LGBTQIA+ which stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual, plus other sexual identities in the greater community.