In June 2000 President Bill Clinton officially designated June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month, which was later renamed to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month by President Barack Obama in 2009. June was the natural fit for Pride Month due to celebrations held across the United States in commemoration of the Stonewall Riots in June of 1969. Across the world, Pride Month celebrates the history, society, and culture of LGBTQIA+ rights.
Pride celebrations from coast to coast are choosing themes of love and unity. The famous NYC pride parade chose the theme of "Reflect. Empower. Unite." while Los Angeles is embracing the phrase "Power in Pride."
The gay rights movement goes back to the early 1900s with the creation of organizations like the Society for Human Rights founded in the 1920s. After WWII, groups like the Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis published newsletters and later protested discrimination against gays and lesbians. Although there were Civil Rights improvements during the 1960s, those rights were largely denied to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.
Check out our Pride collection! Stop in to browse our stacks or explore these digital items, available 24/7:
Learn more about Pride Month with these local and national organizations:
Janesville Pride
The mission at Janesville Pride is to provide a foundation of support to the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies of Janesville, WI, and the greater Rock County area through advocacy, education, and support services to build and maintain a more affirming, equitable, and empowering community.
They bring together counselors, homelessness resources, youth outreach, queer youth abandonment resources, queer affirming and accepting religious organizations, and so much more.
Their hope is to inspire our city of Janesville and empower our community to spark change.
Yellow Brick Road Organization
Yellow Brick Road represents everyone who identifies as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Pansexual, Two-Spirit, Asexual, and an Ally. They side with Love and accepting people for who they are, no matter how they identify.
They provide a safe space for individuals and families to be themselves and not be judged. Their hope is to spread awareness through community events where we can learn from each other and celebrate.
PFLAG
Founded in 1973 by a mother and her gay son, PFLAG was born from the unified front of a family leading with love. An inspiring alliance of LGBTQ+ people and their loved ones continues to fuel PFLAG, fifty years later. PFLAG’s network of hundreds of chapters and more than 325,000 members and supporters are helping create an equitable and inclusive world where every LGBTQ+ person is safe, celebrated, empowered, and loved.
GLAAD
Founded in 1985, GLAAD is a non-profit organization focused on LGBTQ advocacy and cultural change. GLAAD works to ensure fair, accurate, and inclusive representation and creates national and local programs that advance LGBTQ acceptance. Serving as a storyteller, media force, resource, and advocate, GLAAD tackles tough issues and provokes dialogue so that authentic LGBTQ stories are seen, heard, and actualized. GLAAD strives to protect all that has been accomplished and helps create a world where everyone can live the life they love.