By Sarah Wylde

Hi, how is everyone doing? I know the world is a lot right now, so I hope you all are making time for your mental health and doing self-care.

This week, let’s talk about Pride month. Do you wonder why we celebrate Pride in June? Well, here is a brief history lesson. June 28, 1969, in New York, the police raided a gay club in Greenwich Village called the Stonewall Inn. That sparked residents protesting for over six days, demanding that they could go somewhere and be open with their sexual orientation without worrying about being arrested. The Stonewall riots helped pave the way for LGBTQ2+ rights and liberation movements.

A while later, a bisexual activist named Brenda Howard, who would later be known as “The Mother of Pride,” organized a Gay Pride Week and Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade. That is now known as the New York City Pride March, one of the most famous parades.

The rainbow flag is prominently shown in the month as well since 1978. Gilbert Baker, an artist, gay rights activist, and U.S. Army veteran created the flag after being asked by the first openly gay politician, Harvey Milk. The flag became the symbol of the gay and lesbian political movement. Each color on the flag has a meaning, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, blue for harmony, and violet for spirit.

The celebrations for this year are a lot different. With the pandemic of COVID-19 going on, large gatherings are harder to happen safely, so many marches and parades have been and will remain canceled. The LGBTQ2+ community has also come together to support the efforts and amplify protestor voices of Black Lives Matter and the voices of Black transgender women and men to fight and bring an end to systematic racism and violence against transgender people.

Even though the Pride parades, marches, concerts, and more will not be taking place in the traditional sense this year, that doesn’t mean that you can’t celebrate and embrace your sexuality.

Check out and see if your community is doing any virtual events and join in.

Had your Pride outfit all planned and bought? Put it on and dance around your home and take selfies.

Donate to an LGBTQ2+ organization (local or national).

Educate yourself on the history of Pride and LGBTQ2+ community.

Bake your Pride deserts. I know I will be.

Put a message of support in your window.

Decorate your home.

Support an LGBTQ2+ small business, artist, or performer.

Have an LGBTQ2+ movie marathon (Love, Simon, Moonlight, etc.).

Those are just a few suggestions, what will you be doing this year?

Until next time, take care of yourselves.

Sarah Wylde