On Pride Month 2024

All around the globe, this month is LGBTQ Pride month. Ever since the first Gay Pride marches over half-a-century ago, the movement has strengthened and evolved into a cultural force that advocates and fights for equality for all human beings.

Getting its start in New York City with the riots at the Stonewall Inn, Pride is celebrated with speeches, to picnics, to marches, to parties all around the world. The lion’s share of Pride events take place in June but some cities hold events in other months, as well.

The importance of LGBTQ Pride to our community is profound connection. Throughout much of history, we have been isolated, shunned, and persecuted. Unfortunately, this is still happening in many countries. Pride is a way for likeminded individuals from around the world and within each community to communicate and celebrate together in solidarity. This helps us feel less alone–especially if they cannot safely come out to their families or their colleagues.

Pride enables people to build and strengthen social networks which are beneficial to mental and physical health. We are better able to share our stories, bask in our attitudes, humor, and sensibilities. We do more together out of the necessity for inclusion and connection. We become more complete when we share our experiences among one another.

“History isn’t something you look back at and say it was inevitable. It happens because people make decisions that are sometimes very impulsive and of the moment, but those moments are cumulative realities.”–LGBTQ advocate, Marsha P. Johnson

This is a time of joyful celebration about the progress society has achieved and further inclusive hopes for the future. It is also a time to commit to meaningful action in support of the LGBTQ community and to all oppressed people everywhere. Actions do speak louder than words, so Pride Month is also about taking part in the greater human rights work in the world.

Happy Pride

The Blue Jay of Happiness quotes investigative reporter, Ronan Farrow. “LGBT people are some of the bravest and most potent change agents and leaders I have encountered, and the most forceful defenders of the vulnerable and voiceless, because they know what it’s like to be there.”