The month of June is internationally recognised as LGBT Pride Month and commemorates the 1969 Stonewall riots which occurred at the end of the month.  World-wide, many pride events are held during June to commemorate the occasion and mark the impact LGBT people have had throughout the world.  

For historical reasons, and partly the weather, many LGBT pride events will take place throughout the summer.  These events are a platform for people to march both in celebration and honour of their rights.  This month shows that there is an LGBT community, and a very vocal one at that! 

Pride month was originally created to celebrate the festivities, and although this remains the focus today, many feel that it is also a platform for polite protest while the world’s spotlight is on the movement.  Pride events are just as political as they are celebratory, and that’s something to be cherished.

The President of the United States has officially declared June pride month five times.  President Bill Clinton declared June “Gay & Lesbian Pride Month” back in 2000, and in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, President Barack Obama declared June “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month.”

“I call upon all Americans to observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in their own lives and everywhere it exists.”  - President Barack Obama, 2011.

The support for pride month is not only political, corporate giants such as Google also mark the event.  If you haven’t yet, google the word “LGBT” and observe the pretty rainbow pattern underneath search results!

Happy Pride Month 2012!