If you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community, you will know that June is Pride Month for the Alphabet Mafia. How did it start? Why do we celebrate Pride? What is the meaning of Pride? How does Pride empower members of the LGBTQ+ community?
History of Pride
Pride Month commemorates the Stonewall riots that happened back in 1969 as a response to a police raid on June 28, 1969 at the Stonewall Inn, a local gay club in the Greenwich Village, located in Manhattan, New York City. The Stonewall riots served as the catalyst to the gay rights movement in the United States and beyond.
Back in the 1960s and earlier, these times were not welcoming to any member of the LGBTQ+ community. This is the reason why places like the Stonewall Inn became a gathering place for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Pride Today
Pride can be a big worldwide party, but it’s not only about partying, drag queens, and rainbow flags. Pride is a time for the LGBTQ+ community to get together, celebrate us, promote our self-affirmation, equality, and increased visibility of the LGBTQ+ community.
What is LGBTQ+?
LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, etc. (insert other sexual orientations here). A nickname for this community is “Alphabet Mafia”.
My Story and Thoughts
I identify as lesbian. I’ve always known since I was in 5th grade. The earliest memory I have of having a strong crush on girls was back in my 5th grade year and I was 11 years old. I had a crush on this girl named Karen, who I am still friends with to this day. I came out to my family on October 2010. Fast forward a few years, I’ve been happily married to my wife since 2016, and we have 2 beautiful dogs and our own home. My life now was just an impossible dream for me back then when I was a baby teen lesbian. I remember when I came out officially as a lesbian, Pride became a big thing for me. I started to follow LGBTQ+ people online on social media looking for the community I discovered. I got myself involved in anything LGBTQ+ that I can be a part of. I am extremely happy and honored to be part of this community.
Pride Month is an amazing way to celebrate ourselves. As a community, we’ve been through so much ups and downs, legal battles, personal struggles…you name it, we’ve gone through some form of life-changing events to get to where we are today. Sadly, not everyone has made it due to reasons such as HIV/AIDS, suicide, etc. We not only celebrate ourselves, but we also celebrate our he/she/they family members who have passed away. United we are strong, and we must always make sure we stay together and build each other up.
For every member of the LGBTQ+ community, I wish you a very Happy Pride Month. I hope you get to take part in festivities worldwide wherever you may be. Stay strong. Stay visible. Come out to celebrate who you are! We are awesome. We are loved. There is nothing wrong with us. We are perfect just the way we are.
