The Importance of Pride Beyond the Month of June

The month of June is known as Pride Month; it is a time for people within the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual) community to celebrate who they are, educate others, spread awareness, and spread love to all. Although Pride is viewed as a month-long celebration, many members of the LGBTQ+ community believe that Pride has a deeper meaning that goes far beyond the month of June.

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Paula Monroe is a young lesbian woman who believes Pride is an important time for individuals within and outside the LGBTQ+ community. She believes that Pride is a time for individuals of all different cultural and ethnic backgrounds to come together and love one another, regardless of who they are or who they love.

“I feel that pride month is something that people can celebrate being different as a community, which is beautiful. Pride month is very important because it is just one example of the love and acceptance we can all share as humans if only we choose it. Pride is acceptance. Pride is togetherness. Pride is happiness. Pride is a world where everyone is just a person, where nobody dies for the color of their skin or the people they love. Pride is the hopeful future,” said Monroe.

Monroe also believes that Pride is a time for people from all different backgrounds to unite and commemorate those who have fought for LGBTQ+ rights. She believes that during Pride, it is important to show gratitude to those who have sacrificed themselves and acknowledge that people within the community have a greater sense of safety due to the selfless actions of the activists who came before them.

“I think pride is a time where we as a human race should know why we have pride and how it came to be and remember we wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for all those who died for us to be open and safe,” said Monroe.

While Monroe and others within the LGBTQ+ community view pride as a concept that should be recognized outside of June, organizations like the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) believe that Pride is about events and celebrations that raise awareness and commemorate the history of behind the LGBTQ+ social movement. Monroe explains that to her pride month is about more than rainbows and parades. Pride is an important time for the LGBTQ+ community to celebrate who they are, recognize advancements, and commemorate history, Monroe believes Pride should not be celebrated for one solitary month and then discarded until the following year.

“Pride isn’t just about who we love; it’s about spreading love to everyone and anyone. That’s why Pride should be recognized outside the month of June. We cannot just celebrate people for one month. We are living people 365 days of the year unless that has been taken away by arrogance and judgment,” said Monroe.

Monroe believes that Pride is not only about accepting individuals regardless of who they love; it is also about spreading love to all. The most important part of Pride is spreading love and fighting against hate and discrimination. She believes that even though love will always be stranger than hate, hate cannot be stopped by one month of celebration and acceptance. She feels that if Pride was recognized outside of Pride Month, it could be a way to fight against discrimination and promote acceptance.

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This article was written for Planted, Not Buried's segment Spread Your Roots,

Grow Your Knowledge. Planted, not Buried is a non-profit organization that

focuses on empowering, educating, and inspiring others through outreach,

events, networking, and opportunities.

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