LGBT Pride Month
History
Origins
The first pride marches were held in four US cities in June 1970, one year after the riots at the Stonewall Inn. The New York City march, promoted as "Christopher Street Liberation Day", alongside the parallel marches in Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, marked a watershed moment for LGBT rights. An organizer of some of the first marches, Fred Sargeant stated the goal was to commemorate the Stonewall riots and further push for liberation. He noted that while the first marches were more akin to a protest than a celebration, it helped to remind people of LGBT communities and how they may include one's family and friends. Transgender women and people of color, including Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Stormé DeLarverie, were largely excluded or silenced during the early marches, despite their prominent participation in the initial riots.
Spread and celebration
Following the Stonewall riots and the first pride marches, the number of LGBT groups rapidly increased, and the pride movement spread across the United States after a few years. While many Pride celebrations around the world are held in June, some cities vary the observation at different times, partially due to local weather conditions.
International LGBT Pride Day
International LGBT Pride Day is a day dedicated to LGBT pride, held on June 28 to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall riots, prior to the entire month becoming associated with LGBT Pride.
The San Francisco Pride march was promoted as the International Lesbian & Gay Freedom Day Parade from 1981 to 1994, likely the origin of an international pride day.
Serbian group Arkadija commemorated International Pride Day in 1991 with a forum concerning queer activism and art at Belgrade Youth Center. Nicaragua's first public pride festival was also held on this day 1991 to commemorate the Stonewall Riots. Serbia also marked International Pride Day in between 2013 and 2015 with Hate-Free Zone actions, organized by GSA, Women in Black and other NGOs.
Recognition
US President Bill Clinton first declared "the anniversary of Stonewall every June in America as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month" in a 1999 presidential proclamation. Barack Obama expanded the official Pride Month recognition in 2011, including the whole of the LGBT community. Donald Trump declined to offer federal recognition of Pride Month in 2017, though he issued supportive public statements in a series of Tweets in 2019. Joe Biden recognized Pride Month after taking office in 2021, and vowed to push for LGBT rights in the United States, despite previously voting against same-sex marriage and school education of LGBT topics in the Senate.
Pride Month is often observed in several LGBT-affirming religious congregations.
Criticism
Some have criticized how many companies release Pride Month-themed products, likening it to the concept of slacktivism, as the companies are perceived to be using the topic of LGBT rights as a means of profit, without contributing to the movement in a meaningful way. Others have criticized the seemingly hypocritical nature of companies making social media profiles evoke the rainbow pride flag while refusing to alter the profile pictures in areas without broad LGBT acceptance.
Some religious and cultural groups oppose Pride Month on ideological grounds. They view LGBTQ+ identities and relationships as contrary to their beliefs and traditions. These objections often lead to tensions and conflicts during Pride Month.
Months of the year
New Zealand
Pride month is celebrated at different times throughout New Zealand. In Auckland, it is celebrated in February, and in Christchurch and Wellington Pride Month is in March.