THE IMPORTANCE OF PRIDE

he purpose of Pride month is often

Tmisconstrued and even overlooked at times. For years, Pride month has been celebrated across the United States in June with parades, festivals and events. However, if we look beyond the rainbow designs and parades, we can see the true meaning of Pride month ‒ to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and recognize those who have fought and advocated for equal rights.

Pride month got its roots from the Stonewall Riots, a six-day protest which began on June 28, 1969, in New York City. The Stonewall Riots were a series of riots done by members of the LGBTQ+ community in response to a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a gay club located in Greenwich Village. It was because of

the Stonewall Riots that the gay rights movement took off.

Prior to the Stonewall Riots, members of the LGBTQ+ community were not generally open about their sexual orientation or identity. However, the event at Stonewall motivated the LGBTQ+ community and sparked greater political activism for gay rights.

The first gay Pride march took place on the anniversary of the riots in 1970. The early Pride events focused on members being proud to be out of the closet, individual freedom, and diversity. Since then, political and social activism have become central for Pride events.

Today, people use rainbow flags, shirts, and other colorful accessories to celebrate. But where exactly did the rainbow design come from?

In 1978, the most recognized symbol of gay pride, the rainbow flag, made its debut by San Francisco artist, Gilbert Baker and has since then been adopted as the official pride flag. In 2017, Philadelphia redesigned the pride flag to include the colors brown and black to represent people of color and promote diversity and inclusion.

“The pride flag makes me feel happy and safe,” said Kiana Wilyat, a member of the LGBTQ+ community. “Seeing it anywhere in public lets me know that I’m safe and supported by at least someone in that area. Pride month reminds me of how far the LGBTQ+ community has come and that we still have to continue to fight for the rights of those within our community.”

Additionally, there are other flags to represent different members of the community. The transgender flag, which consists of five horizontal stripes, was created by trans woman Monica Helms in 1999 and was first shown at a Pride parade in Phoenix in 2000. The flag displays two light blue stripes for boys, two pink stripes for girls, and a white stripe in the center for those who are transitioning and feel they have a neutral gender or no gender, and those who are intersex. There are several other flags that were made to represent each individual part of the community. For more information on each flag, visit Pride Flags - TriPride.

Pride month is not only a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, but it is also a time to recognize,

remember, and thank the longtime activists who gave voice to the LGBTQ+ community and sparked change.

One of the most well-known activists for the

LGBTQ+ movement is Marsha P. Johnson and rightfully so. Johnson was a black, queer, and trans activist. She was a drag performer, sex worker, and model for Andy Warhol, and she played a key role in the 1960s gay right movement in the U.S. It is said that she was the one who threw the brick that ignited the infamous Stonewall Riots, which was the catalyst for the gay rights movement.

Another well-known activist was Sylvia Rivera. Rivera was a Latina trans activist who also participated in the Stonewall Riots and co-founded the Street Transvestite Action

Revolutionaries (STAR) with Johnson. STAR was an organization that provided shelter to homeless queer youth and was a blueprint for similar organizations.

Although there is much more work that needs to be done, without the fearlessness and endless advocacy for equal rights that these activists had, the Pride month we have today would not be here.

Many people celebrate Pride month in different ways for different reasons. Arianna Arenas celebrated in support of her younger sister, Anaviay Arenas. sister came to me to share not only her sexuality, but her feelings regarding her coming out journey,” Arenas said. “This was a monumental moment for me; our bond is stronger than ever, her confiding in me caused me to be more vulnerable and to listen. One of the biggest values I’ve learned over the last month is to listen ‒ listen to the LBGTQ+ people in your own life, rather than listening to arrogance. Truly listen and hear who they are, and what they’ve been through and continue to go through, and what authentically living means for them.”

Jasmine Ibarra, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, celebrates Pride month with much gratitude as it is a reminder that she can feel free to express herself and who she is with no limitations.

“Pride month is not just about parades and festivities for me, it is so much more

than that,” Ibarra said. “The year 2019 was my official coming out year where I finally felt comfortable with just being myself and from then on, I felt like I got a fresh start in life. For me Pride month is a reminder to just be myself, be out and be proud because I was born this way! I am very glad and very proud that I came out because now I can finally start living the life I love and love the life I live regardless of who I love.”

Pride month holds a special meaning for many people and is celebrated in different ways. However, it is also important to always remember to honor and respect the people that came before us who paved the way for many members of the LGBTQ+ community today and to be supportive of them even after Pride month comes to an end.

“This year Pride month carried a very special place in my heart ‒ my

By Gabriella Herran-Romero