LGBTQ+ Pride Month is celebrated annually in the United States, during the month of June. LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer.  The last Sunday of June was initially recognized as Gay Pride Day, but soon the “day” grew into the month’s long LGBTQ+ Pride Month that now exists. Rallies, parties, parades, concerts and exhibits are held all month to recognize the significant influence of the LGBTQ+ community.

This month also honors the Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, New York. The Stonewall Uprising were riots that began on June 28, 1969. The New York City Police raided the Stonewall Inn, which was a gay club. The raid of this club, resulted in six days of protesting and violence within the community. The Stonewall Uprising was the turning point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States.

The first LGBTQ+ Pride Parade was held in June 28, 1970 in New York City. This was the exact anniversary date of the Stonewall Uprising that occurred the year before. This parade brought people of the LGBTQ+ community from all over the year to come together and celebrate. In the United States, it is tradition to come together and celebrate gay pride and equal rights in the month of June.

President Biden, on June 1, 2021, proclaimed June 2021 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month. The proclamation protects the civil rights of every LGBTQ+ American. LGBTQ+ have the right to serve America, to marriage equality, protection in the workplace, and further protection in public, schools, and hospitals.

At Wong Fleming, we take pride in our LGBTQ+ staff members and the limitless effort they make to our firm every day.