LGBTQ Pride Month History And Why It Matters

Each June, LGBTQ+ individuals, organizations, and allies celebrate Pride Month in communities across the US. Along with the well-known tradition of Pride parades, LGBTQ+ Pride Month usually involves a variety of activities and events ranging from drag shows to sexual health workshops to protests in support of the queer community.

Despite the visibility of this month of celebration, many people may still be unaware of how this tradition began or why it remains so significant for the well-being of LGBTQ+ people. What are the origins of Pride Month, and why is it important for mental health?

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What is Pride Month?

Pride Month today is seen by many as a tribute to the LGBTQ+ community and its history of resistance to oppression. Although the movement can be said to have made major strides in securing civil rights for LGBTQ+ individuals, problems like anti-LGBTQ+ bigotry and even violence persist to this day.

Among many other harmful effects, the stigmatization of queer people can place them at higher risk for various forms of mental illness. Pride Month events can foster a sense of community and self-acceptance for those facing discrimination for their sexual and gender identities. It can also serve to remind those celebrating of the origins of this month and the continued fight for equal rights that lies ahead.

Who does the LGBTQ+ community include?

Understanding Pride Month often starts with understanding LGBTQ+ identity. The letters “LGBTQ” stand for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning. Other letters may sometimes be added, such as “2S” for Two Spirit, “I” for intersex, and “A” for asexual/aromantic. This may be signified by simply adding a “+” to the acronym (LGBTQ+), or adding these letters and a “+” (LGBTQIA2S+) to denote the expansive identities this community can include.

What all these identity groups have in common is that they have historically faced stigma, discrimination, exclusion, and violence for their departure from certain norms related to gender and sexuality.

“Queer” is often used as a catch-all term to describe people in any or all of the above categories. Though it was historically used in a derogatory way, it has been reclaimed and embraced by many LGBTQ+ individuals as a signifier of their nonconformity with society’s rigid understandings of sexuality and gender roles. That said, each person has their own preferences when it comes to how they self-identify, and it can be important to respect these in interpersonal interactions.

The Stonewall riots and the first Pride

As noted above, LGBTQ people have faced a long history of oppression, including both informal social marginalization and legalized persecution by government bodies. They have often experienced hardships ranging from insults and bullying to violent and even lethal hate crimes, which continue to this day.

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The gay liberation movement

Marking the date of the Stonewall riots became a tradition in what was known at the time as the gay liberation movement. The anniversary of Stonewall was initially celebrated as Christopher Street Liberation Day, for the name of the bar where the Stonewall Inn is located. Over time, it became known as Gay Pride Day, and the annual demonstrations as Pride Marches. Members of the community adopted the term “Pride” to signify their rejection of the shame, exclusion, and secrecy that society at large had tried to impose on them.

Since then, Pride has grown from a single day of protest and solidarity into a commemorative month observed in major cities and small towns alike and in countries around the world.

Mental health in the queer community

In addition to a celebration of the historical fight for justice and equality, Pride events may offer an important source of support for queer people. LGBTQ+ people experience mental illness at more than twice the rateof the heterosexual and cisgender population and many face multiple barriers to receiving care.

Rather than mental health challenges being in any way inherent to a queer identity, this disparity is likely due to the discrimination and exclusion faced by members of this community. Psychologists have known for some time that a sense of belonging is usually linked to lower rates of mental illness like depression. Queer individuals who find a supportive community that begins at or is strengthened through Pride events and other networks and gatherings may experience improved mental health outcomes compared to those who lack community and feel isolated.

For example, consider a 2018 study of lesbian women which suggests that higher levels of pride in one’s identity and rejection of internalized homophobia can have a significant protective effect against depression.

In addition, Pride month can be an opportunity to uplift organizations doing important work to support the queer community and spreading awareness of available resources for queer mental health.

Ways to show support for Pride Month

Are you an LGBTQ+ individual looking to stand up for your community, or a non-queer ally who wants to support those working for change? Either way, there are many approaches you can take to supporting the queer community in June and beyond.

Show solidarity

Pride Month may help make space for greater openness, acceptance, and celebration of queerness. If your circumstances permit you to safely display your pride in your queer identity—or your support of people within this community—this may be an ideal time to do so. By making your acceptance and celebration of queer identities clear and visible, you may help empower others to feel pride in who they are and show prejudiced individuals that queer people are supported where you live.

Showing up to Pride parades and other community events can be one way to do this, though straight allies may need to remember to be respectful. You can also find small ways to show your support during the rest of the month and the year, such as volunteering your own preferred pronouns when meeting new people or displaying a rainbow flag outside your home.

Even more impactful forms of LGBTQ+ solidarity can involve things like attending rallies, signing petitions, or donating money in support of meaningful causes. Showing up at queer events to defend attendees against hateful counter-protesters can be another powerful and tangible way to offer support. You can also speak out when you encounter unwelcoming or anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments in your day-to-day life.

Donate or volunteer

Many organizations are already working to meet the unique needs of this community and move toward greater equality and acceptance. Contributing your money and/or your time toward these groups can be another way to join the movement represented by Pride Month.

Here are just a few examples:

• Human Rights Campaign (HRC): focuses on activism and organizing in support of equal rights and protection under the law for LGBTQ+ people
• Transgender Law Center: advocates for shifts in law and policy to support the health and safety of trans people
• Lambda Legal: provides legal services for the LGBTQ+ community while pushing for changes to discriminatory laws
• National Black Justice Collective (NBJC): a national civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black queer individuals
• The Trevor Project: offers support services to prevent LGBTQ+ youth suicide

• SAGE: extends a variety of supportive services to LGBTQ+ elders
• True Colors United: works to end the pressing problem of queer youth homelessness, especially among queer youth of color
• Family Acceptance Project: conducts research, education, outreach, and services aimed at encouraging families to welcome and affirm their LGBTQ+ children

You might also consider donating to or getting involved with a grassroots organization like a local mutual aid group, community center, community fridge, or other initiative that directly benefits queer people in your area.

Educate yourself and others

This June, you might want to take some time to research topics related to queer identity, health, activism, and more. 

Seeking online therapy for inclusive mental health support

If you are or know of a queer person who may be in need of mental health support, care is available. Those who lack queer-friendly or queer-affirming therapists in their area or who would simply feel more comfortable receiving treatment from home might explore online therapy.

With a platform like BetterHelp, you can share your needs and preferences for a therapist through a brief onboarding questionnaire, and you'll then be matched with a licensed provider accordingly. You can meet with your therapist via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging from anywhere you have an internet connection. Online therapy can empower individuals to seek the support they deserve from the location of their choice.

Studies suggest that, in many cases, online therapy tends to produce similar client outcomes to in-office therapy. In other words, those who are interested in speaking with a licensed therapist can typically feel confident in the fact that either option can be an effective form of treatment.