On June 1, President Biden proclaimed June to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month. This year commemorates the 52nd anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. These events are seen as a turning point in LGBTQ+ political activism, inspiring the Pride celebrations across the US and around the world today.

It’s easy to get excited by the vibrancy and welcoming atmosphere of Pride Month festivities. Pride celebrations are known for an abundance of bright colors, catchy music, glitter, and joy. History is full of incredible and essential contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals worthy of celebration. The recently enacted Gender Affirming Treatment Act means health insurers in Washington can no longer deny coverage for medically necessary gender-affirming treatment when prescribed by a medical professional. There is much to celebrate this year.

On the flip side, it’s uncomfortable to reflect on the historic and ongoing struggle of LGBTQ+ individuals to achieve equality in the US. Still, it’s crucial and Pride also calls on us to acknowledge this history.

This year is a record-breaking year for anti-LGBTQ legislation, and the challenges facing LGBTQ+ individuals continue. According to the Trevor Project, “42% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth.” In addition, in “27 states, there are no explicit statewide laws at all protecting people from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations.”

This fight for equality is not over. It’s crucial for allies to actively support the LGBTQ+ community by educating themselves, understanding the history of LGBTQ+ rights and the importance of the Stonewall Uprising. Below is a small collection of resources on the Stonewall Uprising, LGBTQ+ current events, history, and health equity. In honor of Pride 2021, take a little time to research something new about LGBTQ+ history. Then, find new ways to take action and share the story of Stonewall and Pride with your community.

The Stonewall Uprising

In the early hours of June 28, 1969, New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club located in Greenwich Village in New York City. During the uprising, patrons and neighborhood residents began to fight back when police roughly hauled employees and patrons out of the bar. From June 28 to July 3, 1969, the Stonewall patrons protested and clashed with police. Media coverage of the events reached and inspired LGBTQ+ individuals around the world.

At the time and for most US history, public displays of an LGBTQ+ identity have been treated as criminal acts. Few places offered safety and acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community. Simply feeling proud, being open, and refusing to hide their LGBTQ+ identity was (and still is) an act of political activism. Those who stood in defiance at Stonewall fostered a movement centered on empowering LGBTQ+ individuals to be bold, stand tall, and feel pride.