What does pride month mean?

Pride Month is a time to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community and its diversity, history, culture and achievements. It is also a time to raise awareness and educate people about the ongoing challenges and struggles that LGBTQ+ people face around the world. Pride Month is observed in June to commemorate the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, which was a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and equality.

The Pride flag is a symbol of Pride Month and the LGBTQ+ community. It was created by Gilbert Baker in 1978 and originally had eight colors, each with a specific meaning. Later, it was reduced to six colors: red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, blue for harmony and purple for spirit. In 2017, Daniel Quasar designed the Progress Pride flag, which added five more colors: black and brown to represent people of color, and pink, light blue and white to represent transgender people. The Progress Pride flag also has a chevron shape pointing to the right, which signifies movement and progress.

Pride Month is not only a celebration, but also a protest and a call for action. LGBTQ+ people still face discrimination, violence, oppression and stigma in many parts of the world. Pride Month is an opportunity to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights and demand justice and respect for all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Pride Month is also a chance to honor the LGBTQ+ activists and allies who have fought and sacrificed for the LGBTQ+ movement throughout history.

Pride Month is a reminder that love is love, and that everyone deserves to be proud of who they are and who they love. Pride Month is a way of saying: You are not alone. You are valid. You are beautiful. You are worthy.