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June has officially been recognized at Pride Month in the U.S. for more than 25 years! Not always by that name though. Today, Pride Month is well-known and celebrated across the world in a number of ways, from art exhibits and huge parades to virtual events and more.
How much do you know about the month and its origins? We’re exploring 11 different myths and facts about the month. Let’s go!
Myth! Pride began as a protest and continues to carry deep political and social significance. Search for the meaning of Pride Month online and you'll find numerous people sharing their own experiences and explaining what it means for them.
Fact! Pride Month was established to honor the 1969 uprising at the Stonewall Inn in NYC.
The Stonewall Riots marked a significant shift in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, which had been ongoing for decades.
On June 28, 1969, the NYPD raided the Stonewall Inn, a bar in Greenwich Village. Raids at bars where gay people were known to gather were routine at the time, but the impact of the Stonewall Riots was unprecedented.
As the raid unfolded patrons and employees inside the bar were interrogated, and a crowd gathered outside. As patrons, employees, and the crowd fought back, police barricaded themselves inside Stonewall. The resistance lasted throughout the night, followed by days of protests across New York City. It was a turning point in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
Myth! Allies, people who support LGBTQ+ rights but don't identify as LGBTQ+ themselves, play a vital role in supporting and uplifting LGBTQ+ voices.
Myth! Pride looks different for everyone and can be celebrated in a number of ways; from large events like parades and marches, to smaller at-home gatherings, and everything in between. There's no single "right" way to observe Pride Month.
Fact! The rainbow flag is the most well-known symbol of Pride, but there are actually over 30 different flags representing specific identities within the LGBTQ+ spectrum. The Human Rights Campaign's website has a full guide to the different flags and what they mean.
Myth! Queer identities have existed for centuries across every culture, the difference today is that there’s more visibility. In fact, according to recent studies, nearly 30% of Gen Z adults identify as LGBTQ+.
Myth! While Pride Month is celebrated during the same month in many countries, celebrations are impacted by culture and local laws.
Some of the biggest Pride celebrations are NYC Pride in New York City, Pride Toronto in Canada, and Sao Paulo Pride in Brazil.
Fact! Annual Pride events have continued to incite change since the first Pride Parade took place a year after the Stonewall Riots. These include legal changes, social changes, public awareness, and more.
Myth! LGBTQ+ identities are still criminalized in many places and rights are constantly under threat.
Fact! This is one of the most common misconceptions about LGBTQ+ history. That distinction belongs to Kathy Kozachenko, who made history as the first openly gay candidate to win public office in the United States when she won a city council seat in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1974. Harvey Milk wasn't elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors until three years later in 1977. Kozachenko's groundbreaking win often goes unrecognized.
Milk became an icon for his activism and a symbol of hope before he was assassinated in 1978. You can read more about the strides he made in this official biography, and there was also a movie made about him in 2008 called Milk.
Myth! You can celebrate and honor Pride month in whatever way you want to — from education and advocacy to art and community, there are numerous ways to take part.
The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association, or IGLTA, is a great resource for finding Pride events across the globe. You can also find virtual events online or events local to you.
You can also celebrate at home, articles like this one from Vice offer fun and creative ways to bring the celebration to you.
Pride Month is celebrated every June in the United States and many other countries.
June was chosen to honor the Stonewall Riots, which took place in late June 1969.
Early activists organized the first march in 1970 to mark the one-year anniversary of Stonewall. Bisexual activist Brenda Howard is often credited as the "Mother of Pride" for her role in organizing that first march.
No. Pride Month is a nationally recognized observance in the U.S., but it is not a federal holiday.
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