What is LGBTQ+ Pride?
Over the years, LGBTQ+ Pride has become an increasingly prominent holiday, as the gay rights movement has made tremendous progress. Countless cities, both inside and outside the United States, have large pride events. Within the last century, sodomy has become legal, gay marriage has become legal in all 50 states, and antidiscrimination laws against gay and bisexual people have been outlawed. Despite this progress, members of the LGBTQ+ community are still disproportionately targeted in hate crimes, with black transgender women being the most heavily at risk in this regard.
What is the history of LGBTQ+ Pride?
LGBTQ+ Pride Month is celebrated every June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, which was an important moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. Currently, millions of people all across the world celebrate pride with picnics, parades, parties, workshops, musical performances, and more. These events are also used to acknowledge the struggles that LGBTQ+ individuals have previously faced and continue to face, including an increased risk of being targeted for hate crimes, discrimination, HIV/AIDS, and an increased rate of experiencing mental health disorders, such as depression, PTSD, and anxiety.
LGBTQ youths continue to face bullying, ostracization, and abuse due to their sexual orientation, with one study showing that they were at risk for more severe bullying than heterosexual adolescents. Another study found that transgender and gender-nonconforming children had a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and self-harming tendencies than their peers. Furthermore, gay and bisexual men continue to be at heightened risk of contracting HIV/AIDS than other groups, with many of them having to bear discrimination as a result of this. While much progress has been made towards reducing discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community, it is clear that there is still progress to be made.
Written and Researched by NATASHA KONERU
