LGBTQ+ Pride Month is a celebration of identity, a call for tolerance and acceptance, and an acknowledgement of the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history.
June and Pride Historical Significance In June of 1969, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City staged an uprising to resist the police harassment and persecution to which LGBT Americans were commonly subjected. This uprising marks the beginning of a movement to outlaw discriminatory laws and practices against LGBTQ+ Americans. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia, and concerts. LGBTQ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are 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. June is Pride Month in the US, Hungary, Canada, Australia, Brazil, and Greenland.
Ways to celebrate
Host virtual Lunch & Learn discussion sessions! These sessions can cover current events, LGBTQ+ history, or how to be an ally at work. Share the pioneers who helped shape public health or highlight LGBTQ+ scientists.
Share personal stories – Learn about our colleagues and their diverse experiences and how they help enrich our workplace culture.
Host a book club – consider hosting a book club focusing on LGBTQ+ authors, biographies, or history.
Use Pride backgrounds in your internal Zoom meetings.
Let's eat! Host a rainbow bake off.
Helpful Terms
Ally is a term used to describe someone who is actively supportive of LGBTQ+ people. It encompasses cisgender allies, as well as those within the LGBTQ+ community who support each other. As an ally, it’s helpful to take initiative to do your own research instead of relying on others to inform you.
Cisgender describes a person whose gender identity corresponds to their sex assigned at birth.
Assigned sex at birth is the assignment and classification of sex at birth. It is important we don’t simply use “sex” because of it’s place in transphobia.
A pronoun is a word that substitutes for a noun or noun phrase as in It/We/He/She/They/Ze. Pronouns are part of one’s identity as much as a name. Using one’s correct pronouns is a sign of respect. Gender is on a spectrum, and individuals should not assume one’s gender or pronouns based on appearance. It's important to ask someone how they would like to be addressed.
Gender expression/presentation is the physical manifestation of gender identity, usually expressed through behavior, clothing, body characteristics, and/or voice, and may or may not conform to socially defined behaviors and characteristics typically associated with being either masculine or feminine.
Gender identity is one’s innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both, and/or neither. Gender identity is how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. One's gender identity can be the same or different from their sex assigned at birth.