What is Pride Month?
June 1 marked the beginning of (LGBTQIA+) Pride Month, a time to recognize and celebrate LGBTQIA+ individuals in our communities. Pride Month commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York and celebrates the LGBTQ community and the fight for equal rights.
The Stonewall Uprising began on June 28, 1969, when police raided the Stonewall Inn, a prominent gay bar in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. The protests that followed are credited with a shift in LGBTQ+ activism in the US and is why Pride week is celebrated in June. In many cities across the nation, the celebration is now a month-long series of events.
Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia, and concerts, and LGBTQ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.
What does PRIDE Stand for?
“Pride” is not an acronym, but the LGBTQIA+ community comprises several identities related to sexual orientation and gender identity. Here are the definitions to know:
- L: Lesbian
- G: Gay
- B: Bisexual
- T: Transgender
- Q: Queer, or sometimes Questioning
- I: Intersex
- A: Asexual
- +: Encompasses other identities under the rainbow umbrella
Why Recognize Pride Month at Work?
Celebrating Pride Month is valuable for organizations and teams.
- Promotes Inclusion and Belonging: Affirms the identities of LGBTQ+ employees and sends a clear message that they are seen, respected, and valued. It fosters a culture of belonging where everyone feels safe to be themselves.
- Reinforces Organizational Values: If your organization values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), celebrating Pride shows you are living those values. It’s a chance to demonstrate support beyond words.
- Raises Awareness and Education: Pride Month offers an opportunity to educate employees about LGBTQ+ history, rights, and challenges. This may encourage respectful and informed interactions among coworkers.
- Boosts Morale and Engagement: When employees feel that their identities and values are respected, it increases job satisfaction, engagement, and loyalty.
- Supports Talent Attraction and Retention: Today’s workforce, especially younger workers, tends to seek out employers who are socially responsible and inclusive. Supporting Pride Month can make your organization more attractive.
- Shows Allyship and Leadership: For straight (cisgender) colleagues, participating in Pride Month activities is a way to practice allyship. For leadership, it’s a chance to set the tone from the top, showing commitment to inclusivity as a core part of organizational culture.
