via the CULE Equity Committee
The month of June is known as Pride Month, a time of remembrance, empowerment, solidarity, and celebration of diversity for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer/Questioning, and 2 Spirited (LGBTTIQ2S) communities.
Throughout Canada (and many parts of the world), Pride festivities are held with parades, dances, festivals, and other events to educate and express to the public the uniqueness and complexity of LGBTTIQ2S communities.
These festivities are a means of claiming space in a public sphere to send the message that LGBTTIQ2S communities deserve the same rights as everyone else and should be free to live their own lives, void of judgment or hate.
The month of Pride came about after the Stonewall Rebellion on June 28, 1969. A violent police raid at the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan (a local gay bar), on this day resulted in an uprising by patrons and others in the community. The Stonewall Rebellion is cited by many as the beginning of the modern day gay movement, which has grown to include Bisexuals, Transsexuals, Transgender, Intersex, Queer/Questioning, and 2 Spirited (LGBTTIQ2S) communities.
The LGBTTIQ2S communities deal with many social challenges in everyday life and Pride month helps to express to the larger public our diverse sexual and gender identities, histories, cultures, families, friends and lives so that these communities are better understood, supported and accepted.
