June: National Pride Month

June is National Pride Month with National Pride Day being celebrated on the 28^th day of June. PRIDE is an acronym for Personal Rights in Defense and Education. This designation recognizes Gay pride or LGBT pride in the promotion of the “self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) community.”

In 1999, President Bill Clinton was the first to declare June as the official “Gay & Lesbian Pride Month.” President Obama has followed suit expanding the name to “LGBT Pride Month.”

Its inception began early on the morning of Saturday, June 28, 1969, when the police raided a gay bar named the Stonewall Inn in New York City. Following this episode, the LGBT community banded together and began a riot spanning over the next several days. And so it began, the LGBT rights movement and stimulus for Pride marches such as that of June 28^th.

For more information click here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/06/01/a-proclamation-on-lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-and-queer-pride-month-2021/

Juneteenth

On June 17, 2021 President Biden signed The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. This is important as it recognizes the emancipation of the enslaved African Americans in 1865. On June 19^th, 1865 the Union Army general, Gordon Granger, proclaimed freedom for the enslaved African American people in Texas.

Frequently called “America’s second Independence Day”, Juneteenth is typically celebrated by recognizing African-American heritage, arts, writers, and music. It’s not unusual to find folks singing traditional songs such as “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing”

Though this holiday has been realized and celebrated for many years among African Americans, it has finally become an official National Holiday! Let’s come together and make sure we acknowledge this significant and important day in history.

For more information click here: https://www.history.com/news/what-is-juneteenth

June-long observances:

•  Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month
•  Black Music Month
•  National Caribbean American Heritage Month
•  Pride Month (LGBTQIAA+)

June Single date observances:

•  June 8 — Race Unity Day
•  June 12 – Loving Day
•  June 19 – Juneteenth
•  June 20 – National Indigenous Peoples Day (Canada)
•  June 20 – World Refugee Day
•  June 21 – Litha, Summer Solstice (Pagan)
•  June 24 – Pride Day (LGBTQ+) (varies by city and country)