The Chicago Pride in the Park is approximately 21 days from now. But who's counting? Me. Down to the second if I could, actually. High heels, creative drinks, clothes and beads flying everywhere, and every color imaginable.
These parades are the most beautiful and exciting events you could ever think of. Pride month has become the beacon of LGBTQ+ celebration and absolute free and unadulterated self expression for people everywhere. It is a time where the community all comes together to enjoy that they are their most authentic selves
All across the world members of the community show how proud they are in honor of all the ones that have come before us and sacrificed everything so that we can live out loud and proud. Pride is more than a time of celebration, it is a period of movement. A practice of loving life while standing up for basic human rights for the LGBTQ+ community.
The tradition started in 1970 after the Stonewall Riots in 1969. Influential and forever treasured members of the community were forced to take a radical stance against society and law enforcement with the Stonewall Riots. During this time, raids were often done on areas where gay people chose to congregate and enjoy themselves. The New York police raided the Stonewall Inn and this incited a riot among the patrons who were angry at the constant disrespect of the community. It was the beginning of the gay rights movement. The following year the parade began as a march to memorialize what happened and to further take a stance for LGBT rights.
As a member of the LGBT community, pride is a time where I feel like I can be myself, but where I also appreciate the progress that the community has had with standing up for our rights. From gay marriage to the U.S. Supreme Court decision confirming that Title VII of the Civil RIghts Act extends to stopping discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, the pride movement has seen lots of progress in the enforcement of LGBTQ rights. Years of fighting has achieved many milestones that many people believed they would never see. Pride has turned into a celebration because life should be one and be congratulatory of who you are
Ignorance still exists when it comes to what this time of year truly means. People can't even do something as simple as respect Zaya Wade's pronouns, so accepting and participating in the true version of history is certainly out of the question for people that clearly don't care. But that does not stop the movement.
Have fun during this month, but please don't forget what it really stands for and what it means to millions of people and their identities.
Happy Pride!!!
2022 Pride Update: Times have definitely been tumultuous when it concerns human rights in this country. Please do not let this make you forget that you are loved. Below is a resource guide for all our young LGBTQ+ members that are looking to start college and find new safe spaces.
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