Why Pride Month Matters: History, Purpose & Ways to Honor It
June 2, 2025 | By Jenna Smith
Pride Month in June: What It Is and Why It Matters
Each June, communities across Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, and the country come together to celebrate Pride Month. Pride month is a powerful tribute to the LGBTQ+ community’s resilience, visibility, and fight for equality. This month is so much more than colorful parades and rainbow flags. It’s rooted in a deep history of activism, healing and identity. In this post, we’ll explore the origins of Pride Month, its significance, major events, and how honoring this month supports LGBTQ+ mental health and well-being.
The Origins of Pride Month and Key Dates in History
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The Stonewall Uprising
June 28, 1969 was a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history which was the Stonewall Uprising. Police raided a gay bar on Christopher Street in New York City called the Stonewall Inn. At the time, such raids were common but for some reason this night sparked the beginning of an uprising. Led by trans women of color like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, the LGBTQ+ community fought back, igniting several days of protests. June is celebrated as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in commemoration of this event. Thanks to this uprising, the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement in the U.S. began.
Key Moments in LGBTQ+ History
In 1973 homosexuality removed from the DSM. The American Psychiatric Association declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder. This was a pivotal and an important step toward ending harmful medical stigmatization.
In 2015 the Supreme Court passed the Marriage Equality Act which legalized same-sex marriage across the U.S. as a result of the Obergefell v. Hodges. This was a major civil rights victory for the LGBTQ+ community.
On June 12, 2016 was the Pulse Nightclub shooting where 49 lives were lost, many of whom were LGBTQ+ and Latinx, in Orlando. This day of remembrance highlights the need for intersectional support and safety.
The First Pride March
In 1970, 1 year after the Stonewall Uprising the first Christopher Street Liberation Day March was held in New York City to commemorate the Stonewall riots. Later named the Pride Parade, it set the stage for annual Pride events across the world.
While Pride looks different in every city, here are common ways it’s celebrated:
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Pride Parades and Marches: Community-wide celebrations of LGBTQ+ joy, love, and visibility.
Community Resource Fairs: Showcasing local LGBTQ+-affirming providers, therapists, and support groups.
Educational Panels and Workshops: Covering queer history, trans rights, mental health, and allyship.
Vigils and Memorials: Honoring lives lost to hate crimes, HIV/AIDS, or suicide.
Art Shows and Performances: Highlighting LGBTQ+ artists, musicians, and drag performers.
In DC, Maryland, and Virginia, many cities host vibrant Pride events throughout June. Participating in these local celebrations is a beautiful way to show support.
What Pride Month Represents
June is a month to celebrate and affirm that LGBTQ+ people deserve to live with the same dignity, love, and support as every human being. Pride Month is also a time to:
Celebrate LGBTQ+ identities
Honor the history and resilience of the community
Raise awareness about ongoing discrimination
Promote visibility, acceptance, and equity
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How to Show Support During Pride Month & Beyond
Listen to LGBTQ+ voices
Support queer-owned businesses and artists
Donate to affirming organizations
Advocate for inclusive mental health care
Use your platform to spread awareness
Why Pride Month Is Important for Mental Health
Pride Month is a time for everyone to feel seen, heard, and validated. Yet many LGBTQ+ individuals, especially teens and young adults, still face stigma and exclusion when it comes to accessing proper mental health care. Studies show that affirming care and inclusive environments can significantly reduce rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide within the LGBTQ+ community. That’s why it’s so important to have supportive mental health care and resources that honor each person’s gender identity, sexuality, and cultural background. Therapy can be a vital space for LGBTQ+ individuals to unpack internalized stigma, process identity, heal trauma, and build authentic connections.
As the movement continues to evolve, providing affirming healthcare remains essential especially for protecting and uplifting trans and nonbinary individuals. Everyone deserves a safe space to heal, grow, and thrive.
Pride Is a Celebration and a Call to Action
Pride Month is a time to honor all those who have sacrificed and fought for equal civil and human rights. June is a celebration of progress and a call for continued action. It serves as both a remembrance of the struggles the LGBTQ+ community has faced and a reminder to continue the work that still needs to be done.
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Whether you're part of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, showing up with empathy and openness can truly make a difference. Let’s keep working toward a world where everyone feels safe, affirmed, and free to be who they are.
Check out Capital Pride Alliance who organizes and promotes regional Pride events throughout the DMV area (DC, Maryland, and Virginia).
National LGBTQ+ Resources & Projects for Support and Allyship
Check out these resources and projects to learn more and support the cause.
The Trevor Project
Focus: Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 13–24).
What You Can Do: Volunteer as a trained crisis counselor, donate, or share their resources.
Website: thetrevorproject.org
PFLAG
Focus: Support for LGBTQ+ individuals, families, and allies.
What You Can Do: Join or start a local chapter, attend support meetings, or access ally training materials.
Website: pflag.org
GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network)
Focus: Creating safe and inclusive schools for LGBTQ+ students.
What You Can Do: Participate in awareness campaigns (e.g., Day of Silence), donate, or become a student or educator advocate.
Website: glsen.org
Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
Focus: National advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and equality in law, work, and healthcare.
What You Can Do: Join advocacy efforts, share educational content, attend events, or become a member.
Website: hrc.org
National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE)
Focus: Advancing the rights and well-being of transgender people through policy change.
What You Can Do: Engage in policy action alerts, support trans-led advocacy, and read educational resources.
Website: transequality.org
GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation)
Focus: Media representation and cultural change.
What You Can Do: Support accurate LGBTQ+ representation in media, share stories, and join social campaigns.
Website: glaad.org
It Gets Better Project
Focus: Empowering LGBTQ+ youth through storytelling and community.
What You Can Do: Submit a video, mentor, donate, or share uplifting content for young people.
Website: itgetsbetter.org
Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
Focus: LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion and equality.
What You Can Do: Attend trainings, advocate for inclusion at your workplace, or join ally programs.
Website: outandequal.org
LGBTQ+ Youth Programs (CenterLink)
Focus: A directory of LGBTQ+ community centers and youth services across the U.S.
What You Can Do: Use the locator to find a center near you or get involved in youth advocacy programs.
Website: lgbtcenters.org
Trans Lifeline
Focus: Peer support hotline and microgrants for trans individuals.
What You Can Do: Volunteer, donate, or share this life-saving hotline with those in need.
Website: translifeline.org
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