Pride Month
The month of June is a particularly wonderful; the beginning of summer, long days, and in many places across the world, it's a time to celebrate love in all it's forms. That's right! Pride month has come round again; a 30-day celebration of the LGBT+ community, both the struggles and the triumphs. The multi-coloured display is filled with love, appreciation and spirit, however it's history isn't as bright as the flag.
June of every year is when LGBT+ communities from all different places honour the riots of Stonewall in 1969, and the "Operation Soap" Bathhouse riots in the early 1980s. Both events were turning points for Gay Liberation, seeing the gay community stand up against the discrimination they were subject to by the police. It was historic moments like these that helped towards the decriminalisation of homosexuality, and the separation of mental illness as a 'cause'.
While many people have been allowed to explore their sexuality and express it freely, there are still queer people in the world that risk their lives everyday because of who they are. 72 countries still class homosexuality as a crime, and some even extend to using the death penalty on those 'criminals'. For gay people everywhere who have the legal right to be who they are in their own country, all those that don't have their right are the priority. It goes without saying that everyone should have the right to be who they are, but the reality is that so many people don't have that right.
Because of this, Pride Month is a perfect example of showing solitary in a community, and proving that strength, no matter how much it is diminished, when put to the right use can make big changes. It's 30 days of families supporting families, friends supporting friends, lovers supporting lovers. The LGBT+ community are resilient in their right to express their love, which is something everyone can learn from Pride Month.
Love is love. It's as easy as that.
June of every year is when LGBT+ communities from all different places honour the riots of Stonewall in 1969, and the "Operation Soap" Bathhouse riots in the early 1980s. Both events were turning points for Gay Liberation, seeing the gay community stand up against the discrimination they were subject to by the police. It was historic moments like these that helped towards the decriminalisation of homosexuality, and the separation of mental illness as a 'cause'.
While many people have been allowed to explore their sexuality and express it freely, there are still queer people in the world that risk their lives everyday because of who they are. 72 countries still class homosexuality as a crime, and some even extend to using the death penalty on those 'criminals'. For gay people everywhere who have the legal right to be who they are in their own country, all those that don't have their right are the priority. It goes without saying that everyone should have the right to be who they are, but the reality is that so many people don't have that right.
Because of this, Pride Month is a perfect example of showing solitary in a community, and proving that strength, no matter how much it is diminished, when put to the right use can make big changes. It's 30 days of families supporting families, friends supporting friends, lovers supporting lovers. The LGBT+ community are resilient in their right to express their love, which is something everyone can learn from Pride Month.
Love is love. It's as easy as that.
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