Pride Month

Pride month holds a significant amount of weight to the LGBTQI+ community, and means different things to different people. It is held in June every year, and has been since 1969.

Pride month is a month of honour and mourning as well as celebration and, you guessed it, being proud of ones identity. 

In June 1968, police raided the Stonewall Inn, which was a safe space for members belonging to the LGBTQI+ community. This sparked an uproar in protests and riots, with queer voices finally being heard by the public. What's been dubbed as ‘The Stonewall Riots’ is one of the most monumental and important events that’s happened in LGBTQI+ history, as it was pioneering towards gay rights movements. 

Every year, since 1969, people have held marches to commemorate the riots and those who stood up for what was right.

To me, pride is more than just a celebration. Pride is an anniversary, and I think it is important that I acknowledge those who fought for my rights, as a gay, trans person. 

It is a time for me to be thankful to the loving community that has been built and is for me to celebrate who I am. But it is also a time to have fun with other members of the community.

Its no doubt that pride is an important date to LGBTQI+ people, including myself and many of my peers, but let us not forget the rich history that gave us this month.

Jaiden Dollery 

Year 8