Although we are almost at the end of the month, we wanted to remind everyone that June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month. We thought today, June 28th, would be a perfect reminder because of its significance. On June 28, 1969 the Stonewall riots began after a police raid of the Stonewall Inn, these riots were a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. LGBT Pride Month is celebrated in June to honor that day and the corresponding movement.
“Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBT Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.” (1)
As we celebrate this month, we must remember that LGBT issues do affect our communities. “Within Tribal communities, family is important, and within most Native families, we know someone who is Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. Too often, rejection of Two Spirit / LGBT community members by families, peers, and the community breaks families apart and tears at the social fabric of our community. Native Two Spirit / LGBT individuals also face amongst the highest disparities across all social and health indicators.” (2)
So during the remainder of this month, support each other and your community by celebrating LGBT pride!
For more information on LGBT Pride Month visit:
SAGE – http://blog.sageusa.org/blog/2017/05/pride-month-is-here-.html
GLAAD – https://www.glaad.org/tags/lgbt-pride-month
Sources
1) Library of Congress. (n.d.). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month 2017: About. Retrieved June 21, 2017, from https://www.loc.gov/lgbt-pride-month/about/
2) Native American Program of Legal Aid Services of Oregon, Indigenous Ways of Knowing Program at Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling, Western States Center, & Pride Foundation and Basic Rights Oregon. (2013). Tribal equity toolkit 2.0: tribal resolutions and codes to support Two Spirit & LGBT justice in Indian country. Retrieved June 21, 2017, from http://graduate.lclark.edu/programs/indigenous_ways_of_knowing/tribal_equity_toolkit/
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