If you’re wondering whether there are any pride events happening near you, or perhaps you’re still questioning ‘what is a pride event?’, you’re in the right place!
At Kiiroo, Pride Month is one of our most favorite times of the year so we don’t need an excuse to discuss its celebration and spectacle in all its glory.
Here, we consider exactly what constitutes a pride event, how you can become a part of the celebrations, and how to find out what pride events are happening this year.
What is a gay pride event?
A pride event, usually held during June’s Pride Month, is a celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) communities around the world.
The event is gorgeously colorful, signifying that all identities are welcome in this celebration of love and friendship, and usually features parades, marches and concerts. It’s a joyous and uplifting occasion! A pride event is wholly about inclusivity, equality and generally being loud and proud of whoever you are, no matter who you love. Amen to that.
Celebrating a whole month of pride
Is Pride Month a national event? It is indeed – more than this, it’s marked around the world in June to raise awareness of issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as celebrate the work being done to achieve equal opportunity for the community.
The month of June was chosen to mark the occasion because of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, which was the catalyst of the Gay Liberation Movement. The Stonewall riots followed what was a commonplace police raid of a gay bar in New York City’s West Village, the Stonewall Inn. The riots carried on for days as the patrons of the bar fought back for the first time, and the building became an historic landmark.
Since then, Pride has picked up around the world. Great news if you’re living in the UK – it’s a magnanimous year, as the country celebrates 50 years since its first ever pride march in 1972. Expect the release of a commemorative 50 pence design created by artist and LGBTQIA+ activist Dominique Holmes, as well as many other celebrations to brilliantly mark this pivotal year.
What’s with the rainbow pride flag?
The gay pride flag originated in San Francisco in 1978 and was created by artist Gilbert Baker, only to be displayed at the inaugural Freedom Day Parade held that year.
Baker created the flag after being challenged by Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay US elected officials, to design a symbol of pride for the gay community. A flag was chosen as the symbol as they’re great items to stand up with and shout about who we are.
The flag’s rainbow colors each have a different meaning (red – life, orange – healing, indigo – harmony, for example) – and in 1994 the rainbow flag was officially announced as the symbol for LGBTQIA+ pride.
What pride events are happening this year?
From Tokyo and Mexico to Spain, Belgium and the United States, pride events are taking place all over the world and in cities near you this June. If you don’t know where to start in finding out whether there are any pride events happening this year, simply pop your question into a search engine – and, trust us, you won’t be short of engagements this month!
Pride is everywhere, and so it should be! Cities all over are about to become awash with color and the most uplifting festivities - and everyone is welcome.
Found your nearest event, kitted out in all the colors of the rainbow and ready to celebrate? Woah there! Check out our top 10 things not to do while celebrating gay pride and you’re on to a winner!
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Pride Month Celebrations Around the World