THE first day of June marks the beginning of Pride Month.
Pride Month is celebrated every year worldwide in the month of June. The reason the month is celebrate in June is to commemorate the riots at the Stonewall Inn in New York City in 1969. The very first Pride march occurred in June 1970.
Celebrations during Pride Month include parades, workshops, parties and concerts. New York City’s annual Pride March attracts millions of people every year. This year, the parade will take place on Sunday, June 27. However, due to the pandemic, the event will be in-person and virtual.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many Pride events were canceled. However, this year a number of cities are holding in-person and virtual events.
President Joe Biden recognized Pride Month on Tuesday, June 1 and called on Congress to pass the Equality Act.
«While I am proud of the progress my Administration has made in advancing protections for the LGBTQ+ community, I will not rest until full equality for LGBTQ+ Americans is finally achieved and codified into law,» Biden said in a statement.
«That is why I continue to call on the Congress to pass the Equality Act, which will ensure civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ people and families across our country,» the statement continued.
Read our Pride Month live blog below for the very latest news and updates…
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A CREATOR’S DREAM
Gilbert Baker from Kansas, USA, created the iconic flag.
He taught himself to sew after getting an honorable discharge from the army in 1970.
He met influential gay leader Harvey Milk in 1974, who challenged him to come up with a symbol for the gay community three years into their friendship.
Credit: AFP Rumor has it that Gilbert got his inspiration for the flag from the famous Judy Garland song Over the Rainbow.
Judy was of course a popular gay icon, and some say Gilbert was inspired after the Stonewall riots that occurred days after her death.
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LEGO SET HONORS PRIDE MONTH
The Lego Pride set is a new release by the toy giant to celebrate pride month in June.
The set is called «Everyone is Awesome» riffing off the song featured in The Lego Movie.
The set includes 346 pieces and 11 monochromatic figures.
The blocks piece together to create a rainbow flag, an icon of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Each included figure corresponds with one color of the rainbow and has its own individual hairstyle.
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VIRTUAL PRIDE EVENTS THIS YEAR
Some of the virtual events taking place this year include Brooklyn Pride in which organizers said they will not have a parade this year but will host a week of live and virtual events starting June 7, according to their schedule.
The Denver Pride Parade will also be virtual and live-streamed on Facebook on DenverPride.org. Last year, the virtual event attracted over 400,000 viewers on social media and across broadcasts.
The Twin Cities Pride in Minneapolis is hosting the Ashley Rukes LGBTQ Pride Parade which will go virtual this year as part of COVID-19 related precautions, according to IGLTA.
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RAINBOW FLAG MEANING
When the flag was first created, each color in the rainbow design had a different meaning:
- Hot pink – sex
- Red – life
- Orange – healing
- Yellow – sunlight
- Green – nature
- Turquoise – magic/art
- Indigo – serenity
- Violet – spirit
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RAINBOW FLAG COLORS
The rainbow flag has become widely known as a symbol for the LGBT community.
It is typically made up of six stripes that appear in descending order from red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet, which is positioned horizontally.
Originally there were eight colors in the flag, including hot pink and turquoise, with each having its own meaning.
The amount was later reduced to due to limited availability of the hot pink fabric.
Credit: Alamy -
NEW YORK’S PRIDE PARADE
According to estimates, 5 million people attended New York City’s annual Pride march in 2019.
This year, the march will take place on Sunday, June 27. The event will be a mix of in-person and virtual events.
In 2020, New York City canceled the Pride parade due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was the first time in half a century.
Instead, a number of virtual events took place to mark the 50th anniversary of the first Pride march in the city.
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PRIDE MONTH SIGNIFICANCE
Every June the LGBT community celebrates Pride in a number of different ways around the world.
Parades are a prominent feature of Pride month, and across the world cities host street parties, community events, poetry readings, public speaking, street festivals and educational sessions.
Pride is also used as an opportunity to peacefully protest and raise political awareness of current issues facing the LGBT community.
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THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STONE WALL RIOTS
According to the History Channel, «With Stonewall, the spirit of ‘60s rebellion spread to LGBT people in New York and beyond, who for the first time found themselves part of a community.»
The riots sparked an understanding and outrage for how the LGBTQ+ communities were being targeted and treated.
It led to many more riots and protests, calling for equality for all people, despite sexuality or gender orientation.
On June 28, 1970, the first pride parade began at the Stonewall Inn in commemoration.
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STONE WALL INN HISTORY
The Stonewall Inn is a bar located in Greenwich Village in New York City.
Since its first opening in 1930, it has served as a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community.
During the 1960’s and 70’s, homosexual acts were illegal in every state except for Illinois.
Most gay bars including the Stonewall Inn were operated by the mafia who bribed police to look the other way.
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SECRET’S OUT
Victoria’s Secret announced that they are donating $1.1million to LGBTQIA+ organizations in honor of Pride month.
They will be donating to the Point Foundation to help support higher-education scholarships and leadership development for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, «and all students who identify within this vibrant community.»
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CUOMO TWEETS
The Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, has tweeted to honor Pride Month,
«We will continue to lead the fight for equality for all New Yorkers,» the tweet wrote.
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GOOGLE REACTS
To help honor the LGBTQ community at large during Pride month, Google has added a Pride Month Easter egg to its «search.»
When you search for “Pride” or “Pride Month” on Google.com, the page will load up just as it normally would, but will be followed by virtual confetti and LGBTQ+ flags.
It works both on desktop and mobile Google searches.
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RAINBOW FLAG ORIGINS
The original gay pride flag was seen in the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade on June 25, 1978.
Around 30 volunteers helped to hand-dye and stitch the first two flags for the parade.
Demand increased after Harvey was assassinated on November 27, 1978 and the Paramount Flag Company started selling the seven striped version – red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, blue and violet.
Rainbow flags represent PrideCredit: AFP or licensors -
WHAT DOES LGBTQ+ STAND FOR?
LGBT is an acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender – a term used to represent the wider community.
The acronym has been commonly used since the 1990s but is believed to have existed for much longer.
LGBT is often referred to as LGBTQ to incorporate those who identify as queer.
And the acronym LGBTQ+ is also used to incorporate various spectrums of sexuality and gender.
LGBTQ+ stand lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queerCredit: Getty -
STANDING UP FOR ALL
UN Women, the United Nations entity for gender equality & women’s empowerment, tweeted a quote from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to kick off Pride month.
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WHAT US CITIES ARE CELEBRATING PRIDE?
Some of the US cities hosting pride events, marches, celebrations, and more include Minneapolis, Honolulu, St. Petersburg, Key West, Dallas, Provincetown, Los Angeles, Middletown, Detroit, Raleigh, San Francisco, New York, Birmingham, Baltimore, Memphis, Denver, Cincinnati, Tulsa, San Jose, and Miami.
It is unconfirmed if these cities and countries listed on the IGLTA are the final participants for this year’s Pride Month.
Many US cities will celebrate PrideCredit: Getty – Contributor -
WILL THERE BE VIRTUAL CELEBRATIONS THIS YEAR?
Some of the virtual events taking place this year include Brooklyn Pride in which organizers said they will not have a parade this year but will host a week of live and virtual events starting June 7, according to their schedule.
The Denver Pride Parade will also be virtual and live-streamed on Facebook on DenverPride.org. Last year, the virtual event attracted over 400,000 viewers on social media and across broadcasts.
The Twin Cities Pride in Minneapolis is hosting the Ashley Rukes LGBTQ Pride Parade which will go virtual this year as part of COVID-19 related precautions, according to IGLTA.
Find out more about the listed events in is their Pride Month calendar for this year.
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BOATERS HARASS LGBTQ FAMILY
A boat full of people who were harassing LGBTQ vacationers caught fire and exploded, and video of the incident has gone viral on social media.
“These people harassed my family because we were flying gay pride flags in Moses Lake, Washington, by racing around us and shouting gay slurs,” said Twitter user @retro_ushi_. “Then, their boat literally blew up!”
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HILLARY TWEETS
Former Democratic US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton tweeted in support of Pride Month.
«LGBTQ rights are human rights. Happy Pride,» she wrote.
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POLICE BANNED FROM PRIDE
The NYC Pride and The Center on Colfax announced in May 2021 they would no longer allow police officers to participate in the parades while in uniform.
«While we value our relationships with law enforcement and want to continue to build a safer community for all Coloradans, we feel we must take a stand,» The Center on Colfax said in a statement.
«NYC Pride seeks to create safer spaces for the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities at a time when violence against marginalized groups, specifically BIPOC and trans communities, has continued to escalate,» Heritage of Pride said.
The NYC Pride and The Center on Colfax announced in May 2021 they would no longer allow police officers to participate in uniformCredit: Getty Images – Getty -
NEW YORK CITY’S PRIDE PARADE
According to estimates, 5 million people attended New York City’s annual Pride march in 2019.
This year, the march will take place on Sunday, June 27. The event will be a mix of in-person and virtual events.
In 2020, New York City canceled the Pride parade due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was the first time in half a century.
Instead, a number of virtual events took place to mark the 4=50th anniversary of the first Pride march in the city.
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PRIDE MONTH CALENDAR 2021
Pride Month 2021 is a series of pride parades, protests, and celebrations that are held in many cities around the world starting in June.
Most cities around the world hold their pride celebrations during the summer of each year in June and sometimes extending till August.
The marches, celebrations, parades, and activities symbolize the recognition and acceptance of same-sex marriages and legal protections for gay couples and families.
Those participating in pride events also often on some occasions fight for anti-discrimination laws and trans rights among other LGBTQ-related causes.
Most cities around the world hold their pride celebrations during the summerCredit: AFP -
GREY’S ANATOMY STAR JAKE BORELLI TALKS ABOUT HIS ‘QUEERNESS’
Jake Borelli publicly came out in 2018 and has openly talked about what Pride means to him.
«As I’ve grown in my queerness, and my relationship to my own queerness, I know wholeheartedly that it’s a riot, and it is a protest,» the actor said.
«At this point in my queerness, I feel like I can’t allow myself to stand anymore for the negative way society has made me feel about my queerness and Pride and Pride Month, and Pride gatherings.»
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NIECY NASH CELEBRATES PRIDE
Niecy Nash and wife Jessica Betts got married in August 2020.
«I am proud of who I am,» she said. «I am proud of my relationship. I’m proud of our marriage. I am just proud to be a Black woman who (lives) life on her own terms and does it out loud.»
Niecy surprised fans by announcing her marriage to Betts on Instagram a year after she divorced ex-husband Jay.
She captioned the picture of the ceremony, «Mrs. Carol Denise Betts. @jessicabettsmusic #LoveWins.»
She took to her Instagram story to acknowledge the nuptials, writing «#PlotTwist.»
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PRESIDENT BIDEN RECOGNIZES PRIDE MONTH
President Biden released a statement on Tuesday, June 1 regarding Pride Month 2021.
«Pride is a time to recall the trials the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) community has endured and to rejoice in the triumphs of trailblazing individuals who have bravely fought — and continue to fight — for full equality,» Biden wrote.
He called on Congress to pass the Equality Act.
The Equality Act «would provide consistent and explicit anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people across key areas of life, including employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service,» according to the Human Rights Campaign.