LGBTQ+ Pride Month

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the U.S. In the U.S., the last Sunday in June was initially celebrated as "Gay Pride Day," but the actual day was flexible. In major cities across the nation, the "day" soon grew to encompass a month-long series of events. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBTQ+ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.

The first Pride march in New York City was held on June 28, 1970, on the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. 

By all estimates, there were three to five thousand marchers at the inaugural Pride in New York City, and today marchers in New York City number in the millions. Since 1970, LGBTQ+ people have continued to gather together in June to march with Pride and demonstrate for equal rights.

Watch documentary footage of the first Pride march, "Gay and Proud," a documentary by activist Lilli Vincenz: https://www.loc.gov/item/mbrs01991430/? 

This June, the focus of the conversation around LGBTQIA+ rights is on “Rainbow washing.” Defined as “The act of using or adding rainbow colors and/or imagery to advertising, apparel, accessories, landmarks… in order to indicate progressive support for LGBTQ equality (and earn consumer credibility)—but with a minimum of effort or pragmatic result.” It can be hard to differentiate between genuine support and “Corporate Pride.” To find out more about how to discern, consider this article for more information: https://www.theurbanlist.com/a-list/rainbow-washing 

You can also reference the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index for a reference tool on corporate policies, practices, and benefits pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer employees: https://www.hrc.org/resources/corporate-equality-index

June 2023 Pride Events:

Chicago Pride Fest - June 17 & 18, 2023
Organized by the Northalsted Business Alliance, the annual two-day pride festival takes over Chicago's Northalsted neighborhood every June. Each year, nearly 60,000 revelers flock to the historic gay neighborhood to take part in the celebration that includes three music stages featuring popular music headliners, more than 100 arts and crafts vendors, food from local restaurants, drag shows, DJs, dancing, and much more. ($15 suggested donation at the gate.)

Pride in the Park Chicago -  June 23 & 24, 2023
Pride in the Park Chicago, one of the largest LGBTQ+ outdoor music festivals in the nation, celebrates equity, diversity, and good times in Grant Park each June. Previous years lineups have included Chaka Kahn, Tiesto, Steve Aoki, Betty Who, and more.

The premiering headliners for 2023 are Grammy-winner DJ, Zedd; Grammy-nominated rap star, Saweetie; queer icon, Years & Years; internationally acclaimed singer, Zara Larsson.

Tickets are required, more information at prideintheparkchi.com.  

Chicago Pride Parade -  June 25, 2023
The 52nd annual Chicago Pride Parade, organized by PRIDEChicago, is one of the oldest and largest parades in the country. The parade traditionally concludes the city’s month-long pride celebrations.

Again this year, the parade starts at Noon from Broadway and Montrose, proceeds south on Broadway; then south on Halsted; then east on Belmont; then south on Broadway; then east on Diversey to Cannon Drive. The four-mile parade route travels through the Northalsted, Uptown, Lakeview and Lincoln Park neighborhoods.

And many more here: https://chicagopride.gopride.com/events.cfm