By Josie Pitzen, Public Policy Chair 2024-25
June is Pride Month where we commemorate the ongoing pursuit for equal rights for all that are LGBTQ+ and remember the 1969 Stonewall Uprising.
The 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan is why we now celebrate Pride Month. This uprising protested the police harassment of the LGBTQ+ in New York City. The Stonewall Uprising brought forth the Gay Liberation Movement, which eventually led to the legalization in all fifty states of same-sex marriage in June of 2015. [1]
To celebrate and commemorate this in the month of June throughout the entire United States Pride parades and festivals are held. The largest Florida pride celebration is in St. Petersburg Florida [2], where more than 300,000 people were brought together this past weekend, including myself. Every year St. Pete hosts the largest pride parade and festival in all of Florida, creating a multi-day extravaganza, and bringing together many different communities. These are some pictures from this past weekend at St. Pete Pride.
Daylina Miller / WUSF
Daylina Miller / WUSF
Gainesville is having their own Pride Festival on September 28th, 2024. This will be hosted at Bo Diddley Plaza from 12-8pm. This event will consist of many different nonprofit and business vendors, food trucks, and festivities. Mark it on your calendar!
Pride Month is a month to celebrate and commemorate all that have struggled and fought for their right to love!
References:
[1] “LGBTQIA+ Pride Month: June 2024” Census, June 2024, https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/lgbt-pride-month/
[2] “Photos: St. Pete Pride draws thousands to its parade and festival” WUSF, June 2024, https://www.wusf.org/arts-culture/2024-06-23/photos-st-pete-prides-parade-and-festival-draws-thousands