Pride Month is around the corner, and with it comes the usual controversy. Basic rights are debated in online spheres, news outlets and political campaigns. This is a time to remind ourselves that Pride Month is important.
The month of June (Pride Month) celebrates the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning/Queer, plus more identities) community and the progress it has made, as well as the progress yet to be made. It takes place throughout the month of June and is typically associated with celebrations of love, freedom and authenticity. But it can also be celebrated by exploring LGBTQ+ history, festivals and just taking the month to be proud of people’s identities and how beautiful it is.
After the Stonewall Riots on June 28, 1969, LGBTQ+ rights became more mainstream in America. And in June 2000, President Bill Clinton officially declared a federal Gay and Lesbian Pride Month in June (Barack Obama eventually renamed it to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month).
It is a time to remember those who have died to and dealt with hate crimes over the many years of oppression this community has faced, and still faces to this day. In 2023, the FBI recorded 2,332 hate crimes related to an alleged victim’s sexual orientation and 539 related to an alleged victim’s gender identity.
This is also a time to remember those who died in the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 80s, with the disease still affecting many across the globe. This epidemic disproportionately affected gay and bisexual men in the U.S. and is often stigmatized, despite HIV/AIDS being transmissible in various ways to those of all genders and orientations. From the beginning of the epidemic in 1981 to 2023, an estimated 42.3 million people have died of HIV across the globe, and the number is still increasing. This is a time to bring awareness and erase the stigma of HIV affecting only gay/bisexual men.
Homophobia and transphobia still affect this nation. Whether from a stranger, a boss or even someone close like a parent, it can have serious effects on those who are victim to it. The Trevor Project 2024 U.S. National Survey is a survey for LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-24, with roughly 18,000 participants. This survey covered many subjects including mental health and bullying. In this survey, 49% of LGBTQ+ people ages 13-17 experienced bullying. Additionally, 23% of LGBTQ+ young people reported being physically threatened or assaulted and 60% of LGBTQ+ youth reported feeling they have been discriminated against.
Pride Month exists to not only celebrate LGBTQ+ identities and progress, but to realize there is still progress to be made, to remember those who have passed and support those who can’t support themselves. LGBTQ+ people deserve to be treated like anyone else: equally.
To learn more about LGBTQ+ and ways to support people who are LGBTQ+, check out The Trevor Project. They have resources to familiarize with the LGBTQ+ community and a hotline for anyone in crisis.
