June Is Pride Month: Why Does It Matter?

by Krista Vroegh

Every June, Pride Month creates a lot of debate and conversations. Some people celebrate it, while others question it. I have heard questions like "Why do they get their own month?" or "Why does there have to be a Pride parade?" Some even wonder, "If everyone wants equality, why do we have special events at all?" And these are all fair questions, if you are truly looking for an answer. 

When I googled Gay Pride to see the history, I found that Pride Month didn't start as a celebration, it started as a movement. For many years, the LGBTQ+ community faced discrimination, rejection, and even laws that treated them unfairly just because of who they were. Many people were afraid to be open about their identity because it meant they could lose their jobs, homes, friends, or even face arrest.

As time passed, members of the LGBTQ+ community and their supporters began speaking out and fighting for equal rights. Pride events grew out of those efforts. It formed into a way to remember the struggles of the past, celebrate progress, and continue advocating for fairness and acceptance.

So I have heard the question, "Why isn't there a Straight Pride Month?" Pride was created because LGBTQ+ community did not enjoy the same level of acceptance, visibility, or legal protections that the straight community had. From what I understand the purpose was never to put one group above another but to recognize a community that had spent decades fighting to be treated equal, or to just be accepted. 

Of course, not everyone agrees on every topic related to gender, sexuality, or public celebrations. In a diverse community like our own, people will always have different opinions. That's normal. What matters is having those discussions respectfully and with an understanding of why Pride even exists in the first place.

Do I know everything there is to know about Pride? Absolutely not. But I do know that I wasn’t put on this earth to judge or hate people for celebrating who they are. To hate people for attending a parade, having a month dedicated to their history and experiences, or simply wanting to be treated fairly with the dignity, and respect that everyone deserves.

Whether you choose to attend a Pride event or not, June can be a chance to learn a little more about others and think about how we treat the people around us. For many, Pride is simply about being accepted for who they are, finding a sense of community, and being able to live openly without fear of being judged or treated unfairly.

We don't all have to share the same opinions or experiences to understand that everyone deserves kindness, respect, and the opportunity to be themselves. That's something that can bring us all together, no matter our differences.