Throughout June, the United States recognizes Pride Month, an opportunity for members of the LGBTQ+ communities to acknowledge and celebrate the community’s influence and sexual diversity.

Prior to becoming a celebration, Pride Month began as a protest for gay, lesbian and transgender human rights. June 28, 1969, marked the beginning of the Stonewall Riots during which members of the LGBTQ+ community resisted a police raid at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. A year later, on the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the first Pride parade took place, attracting thousands of supporters and starting the city’s first Pride Week. 

Now, Pride Month has become a celebration dedicated to acknowledging and promoting LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance. The month also provides its members and allies with an opportunity to celebrate their identities. 

“Pride Month is a month for people to be able to celebrate, not just LGBTQ+ people, but allies who want to celebrate our differences too,” Miami Palmetto Senior High Gay-Straight Alliance club sponsor and English teacher Daniel Hurst said. “We all have something to contribute, no matter who you are, and I think that’s important to recognize.”

Recently, with the introduction of various laws and legislation in the state of Florida regarding the LGBTQ+ community and education, activists have increased their efforts. This year, for mother and advocate of the LGBTQ+ community Jennifer Solomon, Pride Month serves as an opportunity to continue her fight toward equality for all members of the community. 

“In a year where our state has attacked the LGBTQ+ community, it’s especially important to acknowledge, respect and celebrate the beautiful folks that make the Miami community diverse,” Solomon said. “We have pride in our home every single day. Pride Month is just a time that elevated our community and helps bring attention to our continued fight for equality.” 

While the annual Miami Beach Pride Parade was held in April, Miami recognizes June as a month for awareness, advocacy and the continued celebration of identity and diversity through various events and occasions.

“Besides the Pride parade, there are smaller events held throughout Miami. An example is on June 4, I will be joining as a panelist for an event called Coming Together For Our Community hosted by the Office of Community Advocacy & Miami-Dade County LGBTQ Advisory Board at the main library,” Solomon said. “Last year, the Village of Pinecrest and Katie Abbott issued a proclamation to our Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) chapter that meets here in Pinecrest.”

While pride events provide LGBTQ+ advocates with opportunities to continue promoting their causes, Solomon highlights the importance of ally involvement in the movement.

“The number one way to get involved is to spread the importance of passing the Equality Act. There is an attack on trans youth in our country, along with women’s rights, BIPOC and all LGBTQ+ folks and it’s very important to understand the intersectionality of all basic rights because they are so intertwined,” Solomon said. “Another important way to be an ally is to educate. Don’t stand by and allow others to make jokes that are discriminatory. Stand up and demand respect for all humans no matter who they love or where they are on the gender spectrum.”