Happy Pride Month!

Pride Month is a month of celebrating and highlighting LGBTQ+ culture and voices. It is also a month to commemorate the struggle for respect and equality while acknowledging the battles for justice that have been won. This month of celebration has always been heavily influenced by activism and commemoration of lives that have been lost within the community. 

Pride Month is typically celebrated in June to ensure we remember the events of Stonewall, the gay club raided by police that led to massive unrest in New York. Today, as there is nationwide critique of the policies and laws that continue to oppress a myriad of communities, it is especially important to dissect and address the challenges of every member of the LGBTQ+ community. Progress in our community has not been felt equally by all members. There is still work to be done. More importantly, it is paramount to acknowledge how those in our community who are the most impacted by -isms risk the most in being visible, active, and steadfast. While we are a community, it would be ingenuous to say the consequences of being visible, active, and steadfast are equally distributed. This month as we highlight the progress of the LGBTQ+ movement, we also acknowledge the issues that still need to be tackled in moving towards ensuring a more inclusive future. This translates to learning about and leveraging the privileges one may have, creating truly collaborative spaces, and minding how the definition of allyship changes in response to our dynamic world. 

With these thoughts in mind, enjoy the parades. Take part in the celebrations and lively events that make June so colorful. Pride Month is a reminder of how to practice self care and continuing to build on the progress made so far. Pride Tree’s 30 Days of Pride kicks off with our Visit with an Artist event, a fun, interactive program led by local artists. We will also be hosting an online discussion of The Prom, a 2020 musical comedy about Broadway stars who befriend a young teen who wants to go to prom with her girlfriend. Throughout the month you can participate in our Fun Run, a virtual 5k, by signing up and participating or by donating to a runners’ page. 

Having a safe and inclusive community brings a togetherness that benefits mental health and increases a sense of belonging. We are actively creating the community we want to see. 
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Plant your roots, and stay connected with our community: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter. 

-Angelique Burton, Director of Advocacy