Honoring the Rainbow: Celebrating Pride Month’s Legacy
Pride Month is celebrated annually in June to honor the Stonewall Riots of 1969, which marked a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement (History.com Editors, 2023; Library of Congress, n.d.). Originally conceived as a series of one-day demonstrations, Pride has evolved into a month-long observance dedicated to celebrating LGBTQ+ identities, advocating for equal rights, and fostering community solidarity (History.com Editors, 2023; Britannica, n.d.). Historical Origins The roots of Pride Month trace back to the early days of organized LGBTQ+ activism in the United States. In June 1969, patrons of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted a police raid, sparking six days of protests and clashes with law enforcement (History.com Editors, 2023; Library of Congress, n.d.). These protests—known as the Stonewall Riots—are widely regarded as the catalyst for the modern gay rights movement (History.com Editors, 2023). On June 28, 1970, exactly one year after the Stonewall Riots, LGBTQ...
