This past Sunday marked the first day of Pride Month — an annual month-long celebration in which cities across the world erupt with vibrant colors, parades, and tributes to the LGBTQ+ community’s fight for equality, dignity, and visibility. Pride is rooted in protest and its meaning continues to evolve each year. In 2025, Pride Month is more than a commemoration; it is a vital reflection of progress, a call to action, and a powerful expression of identity in a world where LGBTQ+ rights are still contested.
The first Pride Month celebrations were in New York City on June 28, 1970, on the one year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. In 1969, LGBTQ+ patrons at the Stonewall Inn in New York resisted a police raid which sparked days of protest and ignited the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. Today, while Pride events often include joyful celebrations, their foundation is built on resistance and advocacy.
In 2025 the struggle still continues. Around the world more than 60 countries still criminalize same-sex relationships and marriage. Trans people face increasing barriers to healthcare and legal recognition and hate crimes against queer individuals remain a constant grave concern.
