Pride Month: A Celebration of Struggle, Not of Self-Admiration
I have been wanting to write this article for a while now, but finding the right words to adequately explain how vital this month is for the LGBTQ+ community has been a real struggle. Every year on multiple social media platforms I see members of various Christian denominations attempt to use the Bible to denounce Pride Month as they believe that it is about being prideful and that it advocates for sin, debauchery, and the “brainwashing” of children to force them to become LGBTQ+.
I hope that this article shows just how wrong this outlook is, and how it is crucial to understand that this celebration is not about pride in the traditional sense of self-admiration. Instead, it's a profound declaration of self-affirmation, community, and the long journey toward equality.
The Roots of Pride Month
Pride Month traces its origins to a pivotal moment in history—the Stonewall uprising of June 1969. These actions were a response to a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City's Greenwich Village. Patrons and local sympathizers fought back in a spontaneous demonstration against the systemic persecution of the LGBTQ+ community.
This act of resistance marked the beginning of a global movement. The following year, on June 28, 1970, the first Pride marches were held to commemorate the anniversary of the first action taken that day. What started as a day of remembrance has since blossomed into a month-long series of events and celebrations, honouring the courage of those who stood at Stonewall and all who continue the fight for equal rights.
“There will not be a magic day when we wake up and it’s now okay to express ourselves publicly. We make that day by doing things publicly until it’s simply the way things are.”
- Tammy Baldwin
It is crucial to acknowledge the various instances of resistance against police and state violence, discrimination, and persecution faced by the LGBT+ communities across the United States before the Stonewall uprising. These protests and the individuals who participated in them often remain overshadowed by the significance attributed to Stonewall in mainstream narratives. Nevertheless, these pre-Stonewall rebellions are equally pivotal in comprehending the complexities of LGBTQIA+ histories in the U.S. Some of the notable uprisings before Stonewall comprised:
Pepper Hill Club Raid, Baltimore, Maryland in 1955. Over 162 people arrested.
Hazel's (Hazel's Inn), Sharp Park, California February 1956
Coopers Do-Nut Raid, Los Angeles, California, 1959
Black Nite Brawl, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, August 5, 1961
Compton's Cafeteria Raid, San Francisco, California, 1966
Black Cat Raid, Los Angeles, California, 1967
You can read more about Stonewall and other historic LGBTQ+ events here.
To grasp the gravity of the Stonewall uprising and the reality of the situation at the time it is important to remember that in the 1960’s individuals could face a prison sentence ranging from 3 months to a lifetime (depending on the state) just for being homosexual. Stonewall and the other struggles in the 1960’s were not solely about seeking societal approval, but about fighting for the fundamental right to exist.
Stonewall remains a pivotal moment in LGBTQ history, symbolizing the fight against systemic discrimination and the birth of a global movement for equality. Today, the spirit of Stonewall is still relevant as LGBTQ individuals continue to face challenges, including hate-motivated violence, workplace discrimination, and the lack of legal protections in many regions. Despite significant progress, such as the decriminalization of same-sex relationships in some countries and the increasing visibility of LGBTQ issues, the community still grapples with inequalities.
The legacy of Stonewall lives on, not only as a reminder of the strides taken but also as a call to action to address the ongoing struggles for LGBTQ equality worldwide.
The Essence of Pride Month
Pride Month is a time to reflect on the struggles and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community. It's a period for education about the history and ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. It's a call to action to continue working towards a future where everyone can live openly and authentically without fear of discrimination.
The term 'pride' in this context is not about boasting or arrogance; it's about the rightful acknowledgement of one's worth and dignity in the face of adversity. It's about the collective strength of a community that has endured the ongoing struggle for equal rights and a protest against discrimination that LGBTQ individuals still face.
Unfortunately, we still live in a world where LGBTQ+ people still face discrimination and even violence, simply because of their identity or sexual orientation. Pride month offers numerous benefits including:
Visibility and Representation: Pride Month serves as a platform that shines a light on the vast array of LGBTQ+ identities, offering a rich tapestry of individuals and stories. This inclusive representation plays a vital role in validating and empowering young individuals who might otherwise struggle with feelings of isolation or uniqueness.
Education and Awareness: Pride Month provides essential opportunities for education and discussion. These events and conversations help increase understanding of LGBTQ+ history and the continuous efforts toward achieving equality. They play a crucial role in enlightening not just the LGBTQ+ youth, but also the wider community.
Community and Support: Pride events are essential in fostering a sense of community and belonging among attendees. These events provide a safe and inclusive space where people can forge connections with like-minded individuals who understand and resonate with their shared experiences.
Inspiration and Role Models: Exposure to successful LGBTQ+ individuals and supportive allies serves as a powerful source of inspiration, motivating individuals to embrace their true selves and actively pursue their aspirations without the burden of discrimination looming over their path. Witnessing these role models achieving personal and professional success despite societal challenges can ignite a flame within others, encouraging them to navigate their journeys with confidence and authenticity.
Empowerment and Advocacy: During Pride Month, individuals are encouraged to embrace their voices and stand up not only for themselves but also for those around them. This initiative plays a crucial role in cultivating a community that actively participates in political and social issues, contributing to a more connected and aware society.
Mental Health and Well-being: By promoting acceptance and understanding, Pride Month can positively impact the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Challenging Discrimination: Pride Month serves as a valuable chance to actively combat and diminish the prevailing stigmas, bullying, and discrimination that persist in educational institutions, workplaces, and society at large, fostering environments that prioritize safety and inclusivity for everyone.
Overall, Pride Month is a time of celebration, reflection, and action that can have a profound and lasting impact society.
The Conflict of Religious Beliefs and Pride
In the diverse tapestry of human beliefs and values, religion has historically served as a cornerstone for moral guidance and community belonging for many people. However, religious texts are rich with metaphors, parables, and historical context, making them subject to interpretation. It's not uncommon for the same scripture to be understood in vastly different ways by different people. This interpretative flexibility suggests that homophobic beliefs, often justified by selective readings of these texts, need to be revisited. Engaging with diverse interpretations can illuminate the inclusive potential of religious teachings.
At the heart of many faiths lies a call to treat others with kindness and to seek justice. When faced with the question of whether homophobic beliefs align with these principles, individuals are encouraged to reflect deeply. Does excluding or condemning a group of people based on their sexual orientation resonate with the message of love that many religions preach? Personal growth often stems from empathy, which can be nurtured by listening to and understanding the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals. Such engagement can challenge preconceived notions and foster a more nuanced view of the human experience, one that celebrates diversity rather than condemns it.
“The problem with “love the sin, hate the sinner” rhetoric is that it actually makes the believer think they are showing love/support to their friends/family, when in fact they are actually saying they can’t love them for who they are. This line of thinking grants the appearance of generosity without the need for the believer to sacrifice or wrestle with their convictions, and it often ends up benefiting the person saying the words more than it does the person hearing them.”
Many people have heard the phrase “love the sinner, hate the sin”, and I have even used this phrase myself back when I was a believing member of the LDS church. The problem with this idea is that it actually makes the believer think they are showing love/support to their friends/family, when in fact they are actually saying they can’t love them for who they are. This line of thinking grants the appearance of generosity without the need for the believer to sacrifice or wrestle with their convictions, and it often ends up benefiting the person saying the words more than it does the person hearing them.
If you believe that the Bible is the word of God, and love some of the teachings that it provides then it may be worth reflecting on the second greatest commandment given in the book of Matthew, which is to love your neighbour as yourself. Jesus does not instruct us to love the sinner as ourselves, and when people think this way we are trained to see those who live or think differently as sinners rather than neighbours - over time this can mean you automatically look at the sin to hate rather than appreciate and love someone for who they are.
A better question to ask yourself is if you have thought or used this phrase to condemn other perceived sins. Do you treat the “sinners” guilt of envy, gluttony, greed, lust, slothfulness or wrath in the same way? Do you shun someone because they are materialistic, or love to gossip? Or are you using this phrase as a thought-stopping exercise that justifies your intolerance or exclusion of others?
These are tough questions to answer honestly, but everyone should try and address this within themselves. Talk to the LGBTQ+ people in your life to get a better perspective on how this treatment hurts them, and see how you can make them feel loved and supported. There are so many examples in the Bible of Jesus showing love and compassion, why would He ever want you to turn your back on the people you love?
Pathways to Questioning and Growth
If you care about truth, justice, and being kind to others then it is worth the effort of challenging your beliefs if any of the above resonate with you. Faith is not a reliable path to truth, and if your beliefs on homosexuality, gender identity, or relationships are entirely based on faith or something you have read/been taught which may not be based in reality, then it is worth examining. If your beliefs are true then they should hold up to scrutiny, and where your beliefs can inflict harm it is especially important to be sure they are true.
Some steps you can take if you want to take a step towards questioning your beliefs and personal growth:
Educate Yourself: Take the time to learn about the history of Pride and the issues facing the LGBTQ+ community. Understanding the significance of events like the Stonewall Riots and the ongoing struggles for equality is essential.
Community Involvement & Volunteering: Offer your time and skills to LGBTQ+ centres, non-profits, or during Pride events. Volunteering is a direct way to meet people in the LGBTQ+ community and hear different perspectives while doing good in the wider community. Alternatively try joining groups that support LGBTQ+ rights to get a better understanding of the challenges faced by the community.
Self-Reflection: Reflect on personal beliefs in light of new information as it is received and consider the possibility of change.
Listen and Learn: Be open to listening to the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals. Their personal stories can provide deeper insight and understanding.
Conclusion
It is really important to recognise that Pride Month is not about influencing sexual orientation or gender identity; it's about acceptance and equality. It's a celebration of the progress made towards LGBTQ+ rights and a reminder of the work that still needs to be done. It's about educating people on LGBTQ+ history and raising awareness of the issues that the community still faces. The LGBTQ+ community is not out to 'brainwash' anyone, they just want everyone to be able to be accepting of who they are and who they love.
True morality is found in the acts that uplift and unite us, not in those that divide based on whom we love.
Additional Reading
What is it and why do people celebrate it? - BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/52872693.
Pride Month Is Here. The Meaning, Facts and Why We Celebrate - TODAY. https://www.today.com/life/holidays/pride-month-meaning-facts-rcna29427.
What is Pride Month? Pride definition, Facts and Why We Celebrate. https://www.publiclyprivate.org/culture/what-is-pride-month.
Why Is Pride Month Celebrated in June? | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/story/why-is-pride-month-celebrated-in-june.
Pride month: Why is it so important? | Wiley Edge. https://www.wiley.com/edge/media/pride-month-why-is-it-so-important/.
Pride month: 10 things you can do to support LGBT+ young people. https://londonyouth.org/pride-month-10-things-you-can-do-to-support-lgbt-young-people/.
Why do we celebrate Gay Pride Month and why does it still matter?. https://www.diversitytrust.org.uk/2020/06/why-do-we-celebrate-gay-pride-month-and-why-does-it-still-matter/.
Why We Need to Celebrate Pride Month: Understanding the Importance and .... https://blog.opalgroup.net/why-we-need-to-celebrate-pride-month-understanding-the-importance-and-relevance-of-lgbtq-pride/.
Talking to Young Children about Pride Month. https://childrenslibrarylady.com/talking-to-young-children-about-pride-month/.
The discrimination pushing LGBTQ workers to quit - BBC. https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230303-the-discrimination-pushing-lgbtq-workers-to-quit.
How LGBTQ+ rights changed around the world since last Pride Month - The .... https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/06/01/pride-month-lgbtq-rights-gay-trans/.
Why The ‘Straight Flag’ Is Offensive And Unnecessary - LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/06/straight-pride-flag-exploring-controversy-heterosexual-flag/.
6 reasons why we don't need 'Straight Pride' | Metro News. https://metro.co.uk/2017/03/18/6-reasons-why-straight-pride-shouldnt-be-a-thing-6491640/.
Straight Pride And The Reasons Why We Don't Need It - Love Is A Rainbow. https://loveisarainbow.com/blog/reasons-dont-need-straight-pride/.
Why we have LGBTQ Pride and not 'Straight Pride' - USA TODAY. https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2018/06/01/why-we-have-lgbtq-pride-not-straight-pride-column/658306002/.
Why Isn't There a Straight Pride Month? - The Odyssey Online. https://www.theodysseyonline.com/straight-pride-month.
The Fight Against Anti-LGBTQ+ Extremism - Human Rights Campaign. https://bing.com/search?q=examples+of+LGBTQ+discrimination+2024.
The Fight Against Anti-LGBTQ+ Extremism - Human Rights Campaign. https://www.hrc.org/magazine/2024-winter/the-fight-against-anti-lgbt-extremism.
Mapping Attacks on LGBTQ Rights in U.S. State Legislatures in 2024. https://www.aclu.org/legislative-attacks-on-lgbtq-rights-2024.
International Womens Day 2024: 30 people defending women’s and LGTBQ+ .... https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/asequals/gender-equality-defenders-international-womens-day-as-equals-intl-cmd/.
