June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month and these communities come together to celebrate the freedom to be themselves.
This celebration has its roots in the struggle of minority groups that for decades have been gaining ground to be accepted without prejudice in a society that previously shunned them for having sexual preferences different from the rest of the majority of the population.
Decades of continuous struggle
Dedicating the sixth month of the year to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community is a way to recognize the efforts of a group of people who on June 28, 1969 organized the Stonewall uprising in New York, an event that, although it generated riots, ultimately triggered the gay rights movement as we know it today.
Thus, starting in June 1970, Brenda Howard organized the first Pride parade, where hundreds of activists organized the Christopher Street Liberation March, which traveled 51 blocks to Central Park. In addition, in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston and Chicago, other groups also joined in support.
The flag of diversity
From then on, the celebrations continued every year, but since 1978, the movement was consolidated through the use of a flag created by Gilbert Baker, who was inspired by the rainbow to show others that the diversity of colors can converge in the same space, as is the case of the LGBTQ+ community.
It is striking that each of the colors chosen has a meaning. Red represents life, orange signifies healing, yellow defines sunlight, green points to nature, blue refers to serenity, and violet evokes the spirit.
Under this approach, the celebration and events they hold during Pride Month are open to participation by those who feel their sexual identity is outside the mainstream. However, heterosexuals can also participate.