This June 28th marks the 56th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion. The Stonewall Rebellion was a series of events in which a group of LGBTQ+ people stood up against NYC police officers who came to raid the Stonewall Inn. Homosexuality had been a criminal offense since before the 1970s and this was a pivotal moment, marking the start of the Gay Liberation Movement (1969-1974). 

   The year following the uprising, the first Pride Parade and Pride Week had commenced. Organized by activists in New York, other states would soon follow suit with their own Pride celebrations. Towards the tail end of the 1970s, Gilbert Baker, a Californian artist made the first Pride flag. It had eight colors, with each one representing something different. Pink for sexuality, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for our sun, green for nature, turquoise for art & magic, blue for serenity and purple for the spirit. It would be altered to become the more recognizable six in subsequent years due to issues with production and display. 

   Pride Month celebrations occur frequently throughout the month of June. Pride parades transpire in all five boroughs, with Queens Pride taking place on the first, Staten Island PrideFest occurring the day before, Brooklyn Pride happening the fourteenth, Bronx Pride Festival on the twenty-first, and finally NYC Pride on the twenty-ninth. This year’s theme is “Rise up: Pride in Protest” as a response to the recent hostile legislation against the LGBTQ+ community. 

Written By: Jason Yan

Sources: NYC Public Schools, NASCP, NYC Pride, Wikipedia 

   Though not a federal holiday, Father’s Day is one of our nationally recognized holidays. This holiday takes place on the third Sunday of June each year. It was established in 1910, in Spokane, Washington after a single veteran father of 6 was celebrated at the local YMCA, inspired by Anna Jarvis’ movement to commemorate Mother’s Day. Since the holiday is quite contemporary, celebrations vary from person to person, but they all follow a similar pattern, celebrating the father figure in a family. This can be done by giving flowers, a handmade present, or something your father would appreciate. Any way you want to go through with the holiday, this 15th, give your father some love.

Written By: Lucinda Wilson-Petty

Sources: timeanddate, Wikipedia 

   From May 21st to June 20th, Geminis are born. They are represented by the Twins constellation, located in the Northern Celestial Hemisphere. Additionally, Geminis are under the ruling planet of Mercury. Being represented by the Twins, Geminis are known to be two-faced, but putting aside the negative connotation behind that saying, it shows that they are adaptable and charismatic, being able to understand situations and express ideas depending on the people around them. They are also known to love and adore the people they find comfort in, making changes they see will help the people they cherish. Geminis are also said to be very intelligent and understand new ideas quickly, being able to pick up things before others. Overall, Geminis are wonderful people to be around; they’ll tell you what you want to hear and will express their ideas in a way that best fits the conversation. ♊

Written By: Lucinda Wilson-Petty

Sources: zodiacsign.com, Co-Star