11 Aug Celebrating Pride
LGBTQ+ Pride is the promotion of self-affirmation, equal justice, opportunity, and increased visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and other sexually oriented and gender identifying individuals. We recognize the importance of honoring the valuable contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals on a daily basis. Here at the Givinga Foundation and Givinga, we wanted to draw attention to charities that work to support and uplift members of the LGBTQ+ community year-round.
The History of Pride
Taking place every June, Pride Month is a time dedicated to uplifting LGBTQ+ voices and celebrating the accomplishments of the LGBTQ+ community. At the same time, Pride Month also marks a time to recognize the trials and tribulations that LGBTQ+ individuals have endured and to raise awareness of issues currently confronting LGBTQ+ people.
In terms of its origin, Pride Month was initially inspired by the uprising at the Stonewall Inn in June 1969. At the time, homosexual acts were deemed illegal across the United States, with establishments facing closure for serving gay patrons and individuals being threatened with arrest for breaches of these laws. While police forces had previously raided gay establishments, on that particular day, members of the LGBTQ+ community present at the Stonewall Inn decided to fight back. Ultimately, this was a tipping point for the gay liberation movement, sparking an uprising that gave way to a new era of resistance and celebration.
How Pride Is Commemorated
On the first anniversary of the Stonewall riots, June 28, 1970, between three to five thousand individuals took part in the first annual pride parade running through New York City. Since then, LGBTQ+ individuals from around the world have come together in the month of June to celebrate LGBTQ+ culture and to demonstrate for equal rights. Along with official pride parades, other celebratory events include picnics, parties, workshops, and concerts, each of which attracts thousands, sometimes even millions, of participants. Pride Month is also oftentimes characterized by various memorials that honor members of the community lost to HIV/AIDS or hate crimes.
How You Can Support Pride All Year Long
Despite the LGBTQ+ community having made remarkable progress since the Stonewall Riots, LGBTQ+ individuals continue to face both physical and emotional harassment on a regular basis. Whether it be LGBTQ+ individuals lacking protections for fundamental rights, facing tragic levels of bullying and violence, or being at a disproportionate risk of self-harm and committing suicide, the LGBTQ+ community has a long way to go to achieve full equality.
Support for the LGBTQ+ community should not cease the moment Pride Month ends on June 30th. We must each commit ourselves to supporting LGBTQ+ rights, uplifting the voices of LGBTQ+ individuals, and working towards increasing the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community each day. While there isn’t just one way to demonstrate support for the LGBTQ+ community, here are some organizations you can check out to support LGBTQ+ individuals and educate others.
The Black AIDS Institute engages and mobilizes Black institutions and individuals in an effort to end the HIV epidemic in Black communities, ultimately aiming to eradicate systemic oppression that marginalizes Black health.
EIN – 954742741
Working to rewrite the script for LGBTQ acceptance, GLAAD is a non-governmental media monitoring organization that was originally founded as a protest against defamatory coverage of LGBT individuals.
EIN – 133384027
Acknowledging the importance of educators in the lives of LGBTQ youth, GLSEN is committed to transforming the nation’s schools into safe and affirming environments through advocacy and support of student-led efforts.
EIN – 043234202
Through impact litigation, education, and public policy work, Lambda Legal is working to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people, and all individuals living with HIV.
EIN – 237395681
Fighting the criminalization of LGBTQ folks, the LGBTQ Freedom Fund posts bail to secure the safety and liberty of LGBTQ individuals in jail and immigration detention.
EIN – 822069282
National Center for Transgender Equality:
As the nation’s leading social justice advocacy organization for transgender people, the National Center for Transgender Equality advocates for political and social change to increase understanding and acceptance of the transgender community
EIN – 412090291
Dedicated to improving the lives of older LGBT adults, SAGE organizes communal activities, promotes a positive image of older LGBT individuals, and focuses on local and federal policy advocacy.
EIN – 132947657
The Trevor Project focuses on providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth.
EIN – 954681287
As the largest American transgender-led civil rights organization in the United States, the Transgender Law Center provides access to legal services, promotes community acceptance, and advocates for the enforcement of policies to support California’s transgender communities.
EIN – 050544006
Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline that works to connect transgender individuals to community resources, while also offering emotional and financial support to transgender people in crisis.
EIN – 472097494