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The world is a lively and peaceful place in Pride Month as people unite to celebrate diversity and embrace inclusivity. The queer community boldly exhibits its identity and promotes the right to equality and identity by hosting vibrant grand parades, marches ringing with slogans, picnics in parks, events, poetry sessions, and workshops. During Pride Month, there is an overwhelming feeling of positivity, love, and empowerment in the air. Here in this article, we will cover why is pride month celebrated in June and everything relating to the month.
Now you must be curious: When is Pride Day? June 28 is the Pride Day worldwide. However, the whole month is also celebrated as Pride Month.
Table of Contents
Pride Month- Definition
Pride Month is a time of joy, celebration, honor, and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community and its rights for members of the queer community and their allies. In Pride Month, you will see a display of pride flags on buildings, residences, and streets. Queers and their allies publicly show their support for the queer community, strengthening the community’s sense of unity and visibility, and they come together to celebrate the history, accomplishments, and struggles of the queer community.
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Pride Month- History
Tracing back to 1969, the Stonewall Riots took place in New York City. At that time, gays faced hatred and loathing by both the general public and the law-abiding police, and they had to experience pervasive prejudice and injustice. They faced widespread hate and oppression, harassment by police, arrests, raids, and social ostracism.
| Event | Date | Significance |
| Stonewall Raid | June 28, 1969 | Several days of clashes between the LGBTQ+ community and police. |
| Stonewall Uprising | June 28 – July 3, 1969 | Several days of clashes between LGBTQ+ community and police. |
| Watershed Moment | June 1969 | Stonewall becomes a turning point in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. |
| First Pride March | June 1970 | Christopher Street Liberation Day March in NYC marks the birth of modern Pride celebrations. |
| Pride Parades & Marches | Pride events spread around the world, promoting LGBTQ+ rights and visibility. | |
| Pride Month | June (present) | Global celebration of LGBTQ+ identity with parades, marches, and other events. |
Symbol of Pride
You may be familiar with the LGBTQ+ rainbow flag and the rainbow emoji as symbols of Pride and the queer community. Besides the rainbow flag, various historical and contemporary symbols represent LGBTQ+ pride. Here, we are sharing with you some of these signs and symbols associated with the queer community and Pride.
| Symbol | Description | Significance |
| Interlocking ♂ & ♀ | Two interlocking Mars (♂) and Venus (♀) symbols | Originally represented gay and lesbian love. Evolved into a transgender symbol (⚧) by combining it with a hybrid symbol in 1993. |
| Bi-angles (Overlapping Pink & Blue Triangles) | Overlapping pink and blue triangles | The first representation of bisexuality uses pink, purple, and blue. Created before 1998. |
| Double Crescent Moons (Blue to Pink Gradient) | Two crescent moons with a blue to pink gradient creating lavender in the middle | Alternative to bi-angles, created in 1998. Represents solidarity with people affected by AIDS and LGBTQ+ unity. |
| Pink Triangle | Worn by gay concentration camp victims | Reclaimed by the LGBTQ+ community in the 1970s as a symbol of pride and remembrance. |
| Rainbow Flag | Designed in 1978 | Most widespread symbol of LGBTQ+ pride. Designed by Harvey Milk for the 1978 San Francisco Gay Freedom Pride Parade. |
Baker, an artist, veteran, and fighter for LGBT rights, quickly began work on an eight-color striped flag. The flag’s different colors stand for several meanings: sex in pink, life in red, healing in orange, sunlight in yellow, nature in green, magic in turquoise, serenity in blue, and spirit in violet.
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How do you Celebrate Pride Month?
There are many ways to celebrate Pride Month, from supporting queer voices to supporting queer businesses and organizations to simply being an ally to your queer friends or community. Regardless of how you choose to celebrate Pride Month, we’ve compiled a list of ideas that are sure to put you in the spirit.
- Show support on social media.
- Educate yourself by learning the history of Pride.
- Advocate for the cause of the queer community.
- Attend the Pride Month events and participate in the activities.
- Donate to charities and organizations working for the queer community.
- Rock in Pride-friendly or Pride-symbolic clothing.
- Send custom cards and messages to your queer friends and family members.
8. In your Netflix and chill time, watch any entertaining, informative, or light-hearted LGBTQ+ movie, show, or book.
Pride Month Celebration in India
India throws vibrant Pride celebrations throughout the year, with marches and parades exploding across multiple cities, not just during traditional Pride Month in June. In the table given below, we are enlisting some of the cities and months of events for some of the biggest Pride events in India.
In India, Pride Month is observed with great enthusiasm across different states. Pride marches, also known as pride parades, are held in several cities to promote LGBTQ+ rights and raise awareness about the challenges faced by the community. Here is a table listing some crucial information about Pride Month celebrations in different cities in India:
| City | Parade & March | Tentative month/date |
| Delhi | Delhi Queer Pride Parade | November |
| Mumbai | Queer Azadi Mumbai Pride March | January- February |
| Bengaluru | Bengaluru Namma Pride March | November |
| Chennai | Chennai Rainbow Pride March | June |
| Kolkata | Kolkata Rainbow Pride Walk (KRPW) | December |
| Jaipur | Queer Gulabi Pride | January |
| Hyderabad | Hyderabad Queer Swabhimana Yatra | November |
| Chandigarh | Garvotsav | February |
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Support Resources for LGBTQ+ Individuals
To support LGBTQ+ individuals and their families, there are several resources available and organizations working in many ways, from providing peer support, crisis hotlines, and health communities to legal support groups. Below is a list of resources to help queers and their families in need:
- Helplines or Crisis Hotlines
There are hotlines that provide support and crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ people. These hotlines offer a private, secure setting where people can voice their worries, get answers, and look for direction.
- Mental Health Services
Mental health experts who have expertise in LGBTQ+ concerns can counsel and support queer people. Such services can help with mental health, wellness, and exploration.
- Allies and Friends
For queer individuals, establishing a network of receptive, understanding friends, family members, and supporters is crucial. Friends and allies can offer emotional support, speak up for them, and foster a welcoming environment.
- Educational Resources
Numerous publications, including books, essays, videos, and websites, are devoted to educating and supporting LGBTQ+ people and their families. These resources can provide understanding, direction, and tools for navigating all facets of queer individuals’ life.
- Legal Support Groups and Organizations
Queer people can also seek help from online and offline legal support groups. These groups provide legal services, help with documentation, and guides on legal rights. Moreover, they also provide free services to queers in need.
- Online Support Communities and Groups
For LGBTQ+ people, online groups and forums provide a place for interaction, experience sharing, and advice-seeking. These resources can be a great way to find understanding and support.
- Advocacy Organizations
Numerous organizations are devoted to helping LGBTQ+ people and their families. These groups offer possibilities for community engagement, education, advocacy, and resource sharing.
Also Read- Pride Month Celebrations Around the World
This month of June is the time for festivities to honor the queer community, their history, their achievements, and their struggle. There are many ways in which you can participate in this celebration and contribute beyond the festivities by educating yourself about the history of pride, supporting the community, participating in supportive actions, embracing the symbols, and donating to the cause of the queer community.
Through your participation and contribution, you can play a role in fostering an inclusive and diverse world. Let’s commemorate Pride, unite, and continue to fight for queer rights, acceptance, and recognition.
With this, we come to the end of the question “Why is Pride Month Celebrated in June?” For more information about such informative articles, check the trending events page of Leverage Edu.