Pride Month

{{Short description|Monthlong observance celebrating LGBTQ culture}} {{About|the month observing LGBTQ pride|the concept in general|pride (LGBTQ culture)|the month observing disability pride|Disability Pride Month}} {{Use American English|date=October 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}} {{Infobox holiday | type = Cultural | holiday_name = Pride Month | date = June | frequency = Annual | firsttime = | image = 2018 San Francisco Pride.jpg | caption = A 2018 pride parade in San Francisco, California | observances = Celebration of LGBTQ pride, rights, and culture | duration = 1 month }} '''Pride Month''', sometimes specified as '''LGBTQ Pride Month''', is a month-long observance dedicated to the celebration of LGBTQ pride, commemorating the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) culture and community.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Wurzburger |first=Andrea |date=June 1, 2022 |title=Pride Month Explained: What Is Pride Month and Why Do We Celebrate? |url=https://people.com/human-interest/pride-month-explained-pride-month-facts/ |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=People |language=en |archive-date=October 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025033644/https://people.com/human-interest/pride-month-explained-pride-month-facts/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Pride Month is observed in June, coinciding with the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots, a series of gay liberation protests.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Miranda |first=Gabriela |date=June 3, 2021 |title=What are the origins of Pride Month? And who should we thank for the LGBTQ celebration? |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2021/06/03/what-pride-month-means-look-history-lgbtq-celebration/7504029002/ |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=USA Today |publisher=Gannett |language=en-US |archive-date=October 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025015604/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2021/06/03/what-pride-month-means-look-history-lgbtq-celebration/7504029002/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== History ==

=== Origins === {{Further information|Gay liberation}} [[File:Nu gay lib demo 03.jpg|thumb|A 1970s gay liberation protest in Washington, D.C.]] The first pride marches were held in four US cities in June 1970, one year after the riots at the Stonewall Inn.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Stanton |first=Cady |date=June 2, 2022 |title=What is the history behind Pride Month? How the LGBTQ celebration came to be |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/06/02/pride-month-history-lgbtq-celebrations-june/9626504002/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602092124/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/06/02/pride-month-history-lgbtq-celebrations-june/9626504002/ |archive-date=2022-06-02 |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=USA Today |publisher=Gannett |language=en-GB}}</ref> The New York City march, promoted as "Christopher Street Liberation Day", alongside the parallel marches in Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, marked a watershed moment for LGBTQ rights.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sommerlad |first=Joe |date=July 2, 2022 |title=Pride 2022: How was the annual LGBT+ celebration founded and when and where are events taking place? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pride-events-london-2022-route-history-b2114295.html |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004182825/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pride-events-london-2022-route-history-b2114295.html |archive-date=2022-10-04 |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> An organizer of some of the first marches named Fred Sargeant stated the goal was to commemorate the Stonewall riots and further push for liberation. He noted that while the first marches were more akin to a protest than a celebration, they helped to remind people of LGBTQ communities and how they may include one's family and friends.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=German |date=June 8, 2014 |title=LGBTQ Pride Month, explained |url=https://www.vox.com/2014/6/8/5786368/lgbt-gay-pride-month-2019 |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=Vox |publisher=Vox Media |language=en |archive-date=October 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025025443/https://www.vox.com/2014/6/8/5786368/lgbt-gay-pride-month-2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Transgender women and people of color, including Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Stormé DeLarverie, were largely excluded or silenced during the early marches, despite their prominent participation in the initial riots.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Oliver |first1=David |last2=Ali |first2=Rasha |date=June 28, 2019 |title=Why we owe Pride to black transgender women who threw bricks at cops |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2019/06/24/pride-month-black-transgender-women-stonewall-marsha-p-johnson/1478200001/ |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=USA Today |publisher=Gannett |language=en-US |archive-date=October 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025015559/https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2019/06/24/pride-month-black-transgender-women-stonewall-marsha-p-johnson/1478200001/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=Abad-Santos |first=Alex |date=June 25, 2018 |title=How LGBTQ Pride Month became a branded holiday |url=https://www.vox.com/2018/6/25/17476850/pride-month-lgbtq-corporate-explained |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=Vox |publisher=Vox Media |language=en |archive-date=October 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025025442/https://www.vox.com/2018/6/25/17476850/pride-month-lgbtq-corporate-explained |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Spread and celebration === {{See also|Christopher Street Day}} [[File:East Central Minnesota Pride 2021, Pine City, MN-01-Martina Marraccino.jpg|right|thumb|Rural communities such as Pine City, Minnesota are increasingly celebrating Pride Month.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=Erica Pearson Star |title='A total unicorn': How Pine City, Minn., became a pioneer in rural Pride |url=https://www.startribune.com/lgbtq-pride-pine-city-rural-gay-festival/600369820/ |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=Star Tribune |archive-date=June 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603041643/https://www.startribune.com/lgbtq-pride-pine-city-rural-gay-festival/600369820/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=LGBTQ Rural Pride Campaign |url=https://www.nclrights.org/our-work/legislation-policy/lgbt-rural-pride-campaign/ |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=National Center for Lesbian Rights |language=en-US |archive-date=June 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603041643/https://www.nclrights.org/our-work/legislation-policy/lgbt-rural-pride-campaign/ |url-status=live }}</ref>]] Following the Stonewall riots and the first pride marches, the number of LGBTQ groups rapidly increased,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Carter |first=David |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_D4XdvkOQpYC&pg=PT400 |title=Stonewall: The Riots That Sparked the Gay Revolution |date=May 25, 2010 |publisher=Macmillan Publishers |isbn=978-0-312-67193-8 |language=en |quote=As Frank Kameny stated, 'By the time of Stonewall, we had fifty to sixty gay groups in the country. A year later there was at least fifteen hundred. By two years later, to the extent that a count could be made, it was twenty-five hundred.' |access-date=October 25, 2022 |archive-date=October 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001010614/https://books.google.com/books?id=_D4XdvkOQpYC&pg=PT400#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> and the pride movement spread across the United States after a few years.<ref name=":1" /> While many Pride celebrations around the world are held in June, some cities vary the observation at different times, partially due to local weather conditions.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Baume |first1=Matt |author1-link=Matt Baume |date=June 25, 2020 |title=What Is Pride Month and the History of Pride? |url=https://www.them.us/story/the-complete-history-of-pride |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=Them |publisher=Condé Nast Publications |archive-date=October 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026144314/https://www.them.us/story/the-complete-history-of-pride |url-status=live }}</ref>

Polyamory Pride Day is celebrated every year on a day in Pride Month.<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=http://polyadvocacy.ca/polyamory-day-faq/|title=Polyamory Day - Canadian Polyamory Advocacy Association|access-date=December 26, 2020|archive-date=January 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122225910/http://polyadvocacy.ca/polyamory-day-faq/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Recognition === [[File:Pride Month - MTA.jpg|thumb|New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority recognizes Pride Month annually.]] June became recognized as Pride Month in the United States to commemorate the Stonewall Uprising. President Bill Clinton officially declared in a presidential proclamation that June would be "Gay and Lesbian Pride Month" in 1999.<ref name=":4">{{cite web |last1=Clinton |first1=William J. |date=June 11, 1999 |title=Proclamation 7203—Gay and Lesbian Pride Month, 1999 |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/proclamation-7203-gay-and-lesbian-pride-month-1999 |url-status=live |access-date=March 12, 2019 |website=The American Presidency Project |language=en |archive-date=February 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222103537/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/proclamation-7203-gay-and-lesbian-pride-month-1999 }}</ref> Barack Obama expanded the official Pride Month recognition in 2011, including the whole of the LGBT community.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cho |first=Diane J. |date=June 1, 2022 |title=Notable Figures & Moments in Pride Month History to Honor This Week, from Gilbert Baker to Alan Turing |url=https://people.com/human-interest/pride-month-history-facts-june-1-to-7/ |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=People |language=en |archive-date=October 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025033650/https://people.com/human-interest/pride-month-history-facts-june-1-to-7/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Donald Trump declined to offer federal recognition of Pride Month in 2017,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bump |first=Philip |date=June 27, 2017 |title=Last year, June was National Pride Month. This year, it isn't. |newspaper=The Washington Post |publisher=Nash Holdings |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2017/06/27/last-year-june-was-national-pride-month-this-year-it-isnt/ |url-access=limited |access-date=2022-10-25 |archive-date=August 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816002026/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2017/06/27/last-year-june-was-national-pride-month-this-year-it-isnt/ |url-status=live }}</ref> though he issued supportive public statements in a series of Tweets in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Evon |first=Dan |date=June 1, 2021 |title=Did Trump Officially Recognize Pride Month During His Presidency? |url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/trump-pride-month/ |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=Snopes |language=en-US |archive-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817022051/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/trump-pride-month/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Joe Biden recognized Pride Month after taking office in 2021, and vowed to push for LGBT rights in the United States,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Karni |first=Annie |date=June 1, 2021 |title=Biden Recognizes Pride Month, Vowing to Fight for L.G.B.T.Q. Rights |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/01/us/politics/biden-pride-lgbtq.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=2022-10-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602031322/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/01/us/politics/biden-pride-lgbtq.html |archive-date=2021-06-02 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> despite previously voting against same-sex marriage and school education of LGBTQ topics in the Senate.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Nagourney |first1=Adam |last2=Kaplan |first2=Thomas |date=June 21, 2020 |title=Behind Joe Biden's Evolution on L.G.B.T.Q. Rights |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/21/us/politics/biden-gay-rights-lgbt.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=2022-10-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601215617/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/21/us/politics/biden-gay-rights-lgbt.html |archive-date=2021-06-01 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Pride Month has since grown into a global celebration of LGBTQ+ culture and identity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How LGBTQ+ Pride Went Global |url=https://www.cfr.org/article/how-lgbtq-pride-went-global |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=www.cfr.org |language=en}}</ref>

Pride Month is often observed by several LGBTQ-affirming religious groups.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

In February 2025, Google announced that Pride Month would no longer be highlighted by default on Google Calendar, arguing that it was no longer "scalable or sustainable" to continue adding the growing number of national and international "cultural moments" manually to its calendars.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/news/608858/google-calendar-missing-events-holidays|title=Google Calendar removed events like Pride and BHM because its holiday list wasn't 'sustainable'|last=Peters|first=Jay|date=11 February 2025|work=The Verge|accessdate=11 February 2025}}</ref>

==International LGBTQ Pride Day== {{Distinguish|WorldPride}} [[File:International LGBT Pride Day.png|alt=Five images showing gay pride parades.|thumb|2019 Pride celebrations in Spain, Australia, South Africa, Brazil and Israel]]

'''International LGBTQ Pride Day''' is a day dedicated to LGBTQ pride, held on June 28 to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall riots,<ref>{{Cite web |title=International LGBT+ Pride Day – UNESCO Chair on Education for Social Justice |url=https://www.catedraeducacionjusticiasocial.org/en/international-lgbt-pride-day/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |language=en-GB |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423105359/https://www.catedraeducacionjusticiasocial.org/en/international-lgbt-pride-day/ |url-status=live }}</ref> prior to the entire month becoming associated with LGBTQ Pride.

The San Francisco Pride march was promoted as the ''International Lesbian & Gay Freedom Day Parade'' from 1981 to 1994, likely the origin of an international pride day.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-07-16 |title=KQED {{!}} LGBT Pride: SF Historical Timeline |url=http://www.kqed.org/topics/history/heritage/lgbt/timeline.jsp |access-date=2024-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080716153659/http://www.kqed.org/topics/history/heritage/lgbt/timeline.jsp |archive-date=July 16, 2008 }}</ref>

Serbian group Arkadija commemorated International Pride Day in 1991 with a forum concerning queer activism and art at Belgrade Youth Center.<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2013-02-22 |title=LGBT aktivizam u Srbiji |url=https://lgbti.ba/lgbt-aktivizam-u-srbiji/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=LGBTI.ba |language=bs-BA |archive-date=March 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319190924/https://lgbti.ba/lgbt-aktivizam-u-srbiji/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Nicaragua's first public pride festival was also held on this day 1991 to commemorate the Stonewall Riots.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-08-14 |title=glbtq >> social sciences >> Nicaragua |url=https://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/nicaragua.html |access-date=2024-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070814045734/https://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/nicaragua.html |archive-date=August 14, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Revista Envío - NICARAGUA BRIEFS |url=https://www.revistaenvio.org/articulo/2901 |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=www.revistaenvio.org |archive-date=October 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001010614/https://www.revistaenvio.org/articulo/2901 |url-status=live }}</ref> Serbia also marked International Pride Day in between 2013 and 2015 with ''Hate-Free Zone'' actions, organized by GSA, Women in Black and other NGOs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gay Straight Alliance {{!}} GSA {{!}} International Pride Day marked by the action 'Hate-Free Zone' |url=https://en.gsa.org.rs/2015/06/international-pride-day-marked-by-the-action-hate-free-zone/ |access-date=2024-03-19}}</ref>

== Criticism == {{further|Rainbow capitalism|religion and LGBTQ people}}

Some have criticized how many companies release Pride Month-themed products, likening it to the concept of slacktivism, as the companies are perceived to be using the topic of LGBTQ rights as a means of profit, without contributing to the movement in a meaningful way or even while financing the campaigns of homophobic politicians.<ref name="auto"/> Others have criticized the seemingly hypocritical nature of companies making social media profiles evoke the rainbow pride flag while refusing to alter the profile pictures in areas without broad LGBTQ acceptance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Daisley |first=Stephen |date=June 3, 2022 |title=When will companies end their embarrassing Pride hypocrisy? |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/when-will-companies-end-their-embarrassing-pride-hypocrisy- |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=The Spectator |publisher=Press Holdings |language=en-GB |archive-date=October 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025050628/https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/when-will-companies-end-their-embarrassing-pride-hypocrisy- |url-status=live }}</ref>

Some religious and cultural groups oppose Pride Month on ideological grounds. They view LGBTQ+ identities and relationships as contrary to their beliefs and traditions. These objections often lead to tensions and conflicts during Pride Month.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 3, 2022 |title=Religious beliefs and views of homosexuality |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2013/06/06/section-3-religious-belief-and-views-of-homosexuality/ |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=The Spectator |publisher=Pew Research Center|author= |language=en-GB |archive-date=April 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422070350/www.pewresearch.org/politics/2013/06/06/section-3-religious-belief-and-views-of-homosexuality/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Months of the year ==

=== Canada ===

In Canada, Pride Month is celebrated in June as part of the Pride Season, which happens from June to September. Other events in Pride Season include Public Service Pride Week, which is celebrated in the third week of August.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.statcan.gc.ca/o1/en/plus/4192-pride-canada |website=Statistics Canada |access-date=August 5, 2025|title=Pride in Canada|date=July 27, 2023}}</ref>

=== France === [[File:Pride Month 2025, Lyon 02.jpg|thumb|View of Hôtel de Ville, Lyon, France during Pride Month in May-June 2025.]]

In France, Pride month, known as ''mois des fiertés'' is celebrated in major cities like Paris and Lyon in the month of June.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paquet |first=Hélène |date=2024-06-27 |title=De New York à Paris, comment juin est-il devenu le mois des fiertés? |url=https://www.slate.fr/story/267362/comment-juin-devenu-mois-des-fiertes-lgbt-gay-pride-etats-unis-france |access-date=2025-06-29 |website=Slate.fr |language=fr-FR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mois des fiertés - La Métropole de Lyon |url=https://www.grandlyon.com/a-vivre/mois-des-fiertes |access-date=2025-06-29 |website=www.grandlyon.com}}</ref>

=== Ireland === Pride Month is celebrated during June in Ireland.<ref>{{cite web | title = Pride celebrations taking place across Ireland this June | first = Sinann | last = Fetherston | date = 2025-06-12 | website = RTÉ News | url = https://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/living/2025/0612/1518020-pride-celebrations-taking-place-across-ireland-this-june/ }}</ref>

=== New Zealand === Pride month is celebrated at different times throughout New Zealand.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Gill |first=Sinead |date=23 March 2022 |title='People are proud throughout the year': When is New Zealand's real Pride month? |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/127796445/people-are-proud-throughout-the-year-when-is-new-zealands-real-pride-month |access-date=21 March 2024 |website=Stuff |archive-date=October 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001010541/https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/127796445/people-are-proud-throughout-the-year-when-is-new-zealands-real-pride-month |url-status=live }}</ref> In Auckland, it is celebrated in February,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-01 |title=What's on: A guide to Pride 2024, from collaborative crafts to unmissable events |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/viva/culture/whats-on-a-guide-to-auckland-pride-festival-2024/P6KIKSUWAZCHVAOLJPQYCZFO4I/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ |archive-date=March 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320113319/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/viva/culture/whats-on-a-guide-to-auckland-pride-festival-2024/P6KIKSUWAZCHVAOLJPQYCZFO4I/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":5" />, in Christchurch and Wellington Pride Month is in March.<ref name=":5" /> Rotorua in Matariki, and for Hamilton and Tauranga it is held in April.

== References == {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{Commons category-inline|Pride Month}}

Category:Commemorative months Category:June observances Category:Pride (LGBTQ culture) Category:Month-long observances