RaiderNet

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan. The Stonewall riots were a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States.

In the United States, the last Sunday in June was initially celebrated as “Gay Pride Day,” but the actual day was flexible. In major cities across the nation the “day” soon grew to encompass a month-long series of events. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, and concerts, and LGBTQ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world.

Memorials are also held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.

Many people today still hate and commit hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community. Although the hate has slowed and slowly decreased over the past decades, there still is hate out there. Bringing awareness is another main point of celebrating Pride month and just giving the information out about what is happening in the United States and outside the U.S. is important.

Students at GRB have strong opinions about Pride Month and its importance.

Sophomore Destiny Miller said, "I think Pride Month is important because there are people out in the world who can't celebrate or express who they are any day. I believe Pride Month has made more people comfortable with who they truly are."

Senior Adrian Belrad stated, "Pride Month is needed because trans people are not able to get any care from medical professionals just because we are ourselves. There are those that are killed because of who they love, not only in this country but all over the world. This does not happen to cis straight people. If it does, then is significantly less than to LGBT+ individuals. This is why we need Pride Month."

Senior Jack Hall said, "I think it's important for multiple reasons. However, the most valid one , in my opinion, would be for the people without support who feel like they're on their own and no one is in the same situation. It shows there are others who are the same and you can be who you are."

Belrad and Hall are both members of our school's Pride Club, which is meant to be a safe space for our students, lgbtq+ members or not, to be themselves and talk about anything they need or want to without the fear of being judged.

Pride Month is also full of fun activities and celebrations. A few that you can participate in around Central New York include a 5k run/walk called CNY Gay 5K in Liverpool, New York on June 15 and another 5K run/walk called ROC Pride 5K in Rochester, New York. You can register or donate by clicking the links below.