by Lemuel W. Watson
Thgusstavo Santana/Pexels
June is Pride Month, a time to honor and appreciate the many ways we are alike and different. Pride Month is held annually in June to remember the Stonewall Riots of 1969. This was a watershed moment for the LGBTQIA2S+ community, highlighting the long history of oppression and repression that its members have endured.
Pride Month is a time to honor our differences and support those who have faced oppression or violence due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. It’s a time to recognize the ongoing struggles for rights, recognition, and respect that LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, groups, and communities face and to reflect on their unique experiences. Celebrating Pride Month is a great way to encourage people to speak out for equality and fight prejudice. People who identify as LGBTQIA2S+ can be found in every community and every family, in every country, and on every continent.
Therefore, it is essential to recall that the Stonewall Riots in June of 1969 were organized and led by people of color, such as Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, to protect the LGBTQIA2S+ community from police brutality and harassment. The Pride movement was founded on the principle of intersectionality. Pride Month is primarily about celebrating our shared humanity, regardless of our gender, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. It’s about admitting that everyone has hopes for a better tomorrow. “We must continue to understand that celebrating Pride Month affirms the need to continue advocating for all people until justice is extended to all,” says Antioch University Dean Laurien Alexandre. It is critical and urgent that all communities in the United States speak out for civil rights and social justice in the current political climate. Pride Month is a time for us to reflect on what it means to be human and to come together in celebration of our differences.
This is also a time to honor the courageous people in the LGBTQIA2S+ community who have fought for and continue to fight for equality. As we celebrate Pride Month, let us remember the significance of knowing our shared past and how it has molded our modern society. In its program American Experience, PBS shares the historical milestones of the Gay Rights Movement, and History shares more details. Educating ourselves and others, being aware of our privileges, and supporting members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community are ways we can show respect for the people who fought for our rights.
The first issue of Transgender Studies Quarterly was published in 2014, providing a forum for discussing pressing topics relating to the transgender community. “Although I do not have the lived experience of being LGBTQIA+, I certainly know issues of biases related to being gendered or racialized,” Philomena Essed says of her years of international advocacy work. “Through these experiences, I relate and connect to the hurt and pain of anyone who is not treated fairly, and this treatment helps me raise my voice to support those discriminated against.” All members of this community are sacred and worthy of respect, and no one should ever feel less than human because of their gender identity or expression. Queer and Trans Advocacy in Community College, published in 2023, features essays by authors and contributors who discuss the ongoing need to advocate for the LGBTQIA2S+ community in higher education.
A health report by Stonewall from 2018 shows that nearly half of the community has felt depressed at some point, with roughly half of the transgender people and almost a third of non-trans LGBTQIA2S+ people considering suicide. Therefore, it is crucial to recognize the importance of overcoming destructive shame in healing our lives and the planet during Pride Month. Sociology professor Dr. Mabry said, “Remembering that others have provided the shoulders for me to stand in a society where I can be myself and not feel afraid or shamed. Also, reminding the public that not too long ago, not everyone had the freedom to marry the person they loved in safety.” The devastating effects of shame are ubiquitous, and the message of self-acceptance is universally craved by a world that has, in large part, been taught that you aren’t young, thin, holy, wealthy, or successful enough. According to Alan Downs’ book, The Velvet Rage, the LGBTQIA2S+ community is uniquely qualified to bring the message of compassion, forgiveness, and self-acceptance to the world.
We should celebrate Pride Month to acknowledge, honor, and respect our fellow humans and let go of any concepts or words that might detract from this. Putting into practice the belief that every person has value and deserves to be treated with kindness and consideration. The way we treat others should be based on this realization. Please don’t assume anything about them until they tell you who they are and how they identify. Therefore, you allow them to express themselves and form bonds in a way that respects their unique identities. Everyone has equal worth. These procedures could be more challenging to implement than they initially appear. All too often, we find it simpler to respect those who share our views and to recognize the humanity in those who are “more like us.” It is realizing that each of us has a special place in the world and a reason for being here. We must take a moment to value the unique experiences and nuanced worldviews that make us who we are today. It’s important to avoid labeling people as “one of them” or “just like them” because of the groups they belong to or the ideas they hold.
In conclusion, you can participate in Pride Month activities no matter how you define yourself. Celebrating Pride Month is crucial in acknowledging and honoring the history and constant struggles of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and we should all play a role in supporting and creating spaces for the LGBTQIA2S+ community to thrive all year round, especially during Pride Month. Let’s show our love and acceptance for the LGBTQIA2S+ community, celebrate our differences, and fight for justice and equality throughout June.
