June is Gay Pride Month

Honoring the Struggle for Equal Rights

Pride Month commemorates years of struggle for equal rights and the ongoing pursuit of equal justice under the law for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities.

June was officially recognized as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month in June 1999 by President Bill Clinton, and then by Barak Obama as LGBQT Month. Gay Pride celebrations are usually a series of events culminating in parades with colorful floats by the LGBQT community and their supporters.

June commemorated the 1969 Stonewall riots which resulted from a police raid (targeting the LGBQT folks who were inside) of the Stonewall Inn in New York’s Greenwich Village.

In 1978, artist Gilbert Baker, an openly gay man and drag queen, designed the first symbol of pride at the urging of Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States. Baker chose a flag with eight stripes - each colored stripe having their own meaning.

Our Foundation has provided grants to two area nonprofits whose LGBQT+ youth (and their parents) benefit from their special programs.