JUNE
LGBTQ+ PRIDE MONTH
ORIGINS: Pride Month, celebrated annually in June, has its origins in the LGBTQ+ community's fight for equal rights and recognition. The celebration traces back to the Stonewall Riots, a series of protests that took place in New York City in 1969, following a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar.
During this period, LGBTQ+ individuals faced widespread discrimination, social stigma, and legal oppression. The Stonewall Riots marked a turning point, as they ignited a wave of activism and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. The following year, the first Pride parades were organized in several cities to commemorate the riots and promote visibility and acceptance.
SIGNIFICANCE: Over time, Pride Month has evolved into a global celebration that recognizes and affirms the diverse experiences, identities, and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. It serves as a reminder of the progress made in the ongoing struggle for equality, while also highlighting the challenges that remain.
Recognizing Pride Month is not only about supporting the LGBTQ+ community but also about fostering a culture of respect, inclusion, and understanding for all individuals. It promotes a sense of belonging and helps create a future where everyone can live authentically and with dignity, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Junteenth
ORIGINS: Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. Its origins can be traced back to June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, which proclaimed the end of slavery in Texas and declared that all enslaved people were to be set free.
Juneteenth marks a significant moment in American history as it symbolizes the belated news of freedom reaching enslaved people in Texas, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863.
SIGNIFICANCE: It is a time to honor the resilience, strength, and contributions of African Americans throughout history. It acknowledges the struggles endured by enslaved people and their journey towards freedom, while also recognizing the ongoing fight against racial inequality and injustice.
President Joe Biden signed a bill on June 17, 2021, making Juneteenth the eleventh American federal holiday and the first to obtain legal observance as a federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was designated in 1983.