Beginning June 1st, join us in celebrating LGBT Pride Month in honor of the 1969 Stonewall uprising in Greenwich Village. The Stonewall riots were prompted by a raid that took place at Stonewall Inn in Manhattan, New York. These riots were in protest of the raid and called for the establishment of places that gay and lesbians could go and be open about their sexuality. The Stonewall uprising was an important tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States and was a catalyst for LGBT rights. Initially, Gay Pride was celebrated on the last Sunday in June and was named Gay Pride Day. However, Gay Pride Day was shortly expanded into Gay Pride Month in many major cities across the country. “Mother of Pride,” Brenda Howard coordinated the first LGBT Pride march as well as various other events to celebrate Pride Day.
Have you ever wondered why the rainbow flag was designated the pride flag? In 1978, Gilbert Baker designed the rainbow pride flag after fellow activist Harvey Milk challenged him to design a symbol for the gay community. The flag was first flown in the Gay Freedom Day Parade on June 25th, 1978 and continues to be a symbol of LGBT pride.
Today, LGBT Pride Month incorporates marches around the country, along with educational and awareness events. Although Pride Month is a great time to celebrate all sexual orientations and genders, it is also an opportunity to learn about the fight for what’s right and to pitch in for the cause. The following are events that are occurring in the Albany area for LGBT Pride Month:
Friday May 31st, kick off Pride Month by attending the Pride Center of the Capital Regions Pride Kick-off Block Party. The event will be from 4pm-8pm and is located next to Waterworks Pub and Rocks.
June 6th, join the Pride Center of the Capital Region for PRIDE Alive at Five.
June 8th, Pride Center of the Capital Region will be holding a 5K Rainbow Run.
June 9th, the Capital Pride Festival and Capital Pride Parade will be held between Washington Ave and Madison Ave.
If you are looking for additional information, or resources please go to https://www.albany.org/listing/pride-center-of-the-capital-region/1401