Celebrated since 1969’s June 28th Stonewall Uprising in New York, this month has long been considered significant in LGBTQ+ spaces. Today, June is when allies and queer folks alike celebrate Pride all over the world. This is done to honor those who have been lost to HIV/AIDS and hate crimes, to recognize notable accomplishments in securing rights and visibility, and to remind both the LGBTQ+ community and allies alike what still needs to be done to gain true equality.
“Today, the rights of LGBTQI+ Americans are under relentless attack. Members of the LGBTQI+ community — especially people of color and trans people — continue to face discrimination and cruel, persistent efforts to undermine their human rights. An onslaught of dangerous anti-LGBTQI+ legislation has been introduced and passed in States across the country, targeting transgender children and their parents and interfering with their access to health care,” says the 2022 White House statement on Pride month. “These unconscionable attacks have left countless LGBTQI+ families in fear and pain. All of this compounded has been especially difficult on LGBTQI+ youth, 45 percent of whom seriously considered attempting suicide in the last year — a devastating reality that our Nation must work urgently to address.”
In honor of this decades-long celebration, Change Matrix (CM) is outlining five ways to celebrate Pride Month in 2022.
- Ultimate Guide to 2022 U.S. Pride Celebrations
One of the best ways to honor the LGBTQ+ community is to do so locally! Check out this travel guide to get started in finding the Pride Month festivities that are nearest to you. - Explore Your Local LGBTQ+ Center
Pride Month can be a time of great celebration, but it can also be a great opportunity to volunteer one’s time and effort to support the community. CenterLink’s interactive map provides a list of all of the registered LGBTQ+ centers in the United States that can serve as great hubs for community connection and local projects. - Learn the History
Depending on where one lives, Pride Month can be celebrated differently and certain areas and landmarks may hold significance to the LGBTQ+ community. The link above leads to the Library of Congress’s resource guide on the Month and movements central to gaining the advances the LGBTQ+ community enjoys today — a great start to finding out more about Pride both nationally and at home. - Watch Iconic LGBTQ+ Films
Learning LGBTQ+ history doesn’t have to be boring! In addition to being entertaining, this list of films holds deep cultural significance to LGBTQ-identified people, too. - Find a Charity to Donate To
LGBTQ+ people are affected by poverty and other ills at a much greater rate than their cisgender and heterosexual counterparts. To combat this, check out this list of charities working around the United States during Pride Month and year-round.
