Why Pride Month is More Important Than Ever

June marks Pride Month, a celebration of this community and the many contributions LGBTQ+ individuals have made to society.

The Stonewall riots in June 1969 were born out of routine violence, discrimination and harassment, and they are emblematic of the movement of activism and action that has generated remarkable progress over the last 51 years. Since the advent of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement that began with the Stonewall Uprising, our Nation has achieved many advances in this fight for equality, including marriage equality in 2014. Yet the fight for equality is by no means over. Too many LGBTQ+ Americans do not feel free to live authentically as they are still heavily marginalized by way of stigma, bias, access to services, or other forms of discrimination. Many live in fear because of difficult family situations, social isolation, bullying and the possibility of losing their jobs.

LGBTQ+ people of color, particularly black transgender women, face many additional challenges, such as higher rates of violent hate crimes and poverty. According to a report published by the Transrespect versus Transphobia Worldwide (TvT) team, over 300 trans and gender diverse people were killed in 2019 alone. We must do more to stop hate crimes, enforce legislation to prosecute these crimes, prevent those convicted of hate crimes from purchasing guns and ensure that there is greater accuracy when anti-transgender violence is reported.

On the federal level, we must continue to fight for equality. Even as we celebrate Pride Month, the United States Supreme Court spent June deliberating in several combined cases about whether current federal law and regulations afford LGBTQ+ people protections from discrimination. In particular, SCOTUS took up the first major transgender civil rights matter that the high court has heard. As the late Aimee Stephens, who faced discrimination in her workplace that sparked this case, wrote:

“No one should face discrimination because of who they are. My case is about so much more than me — or even transgender people. It’s about anyone who has ever been told they are not enough of a man or not the right kind of a woman.”

While we hope for the best with these cases and inevitably more to come, we must do more, and that starts with passing the Equality Act to ensure that people cannot be discriminated against for who they are or whom they love.

Even as we fight to do this, I recognize that this Pride Month is unlike any other. COVID-19 has had unexpected effects for many members of this community around the world: forcing youth back into living with their families in lockdown where they may not be accepted, placing vulnerable people at risk of homelessness and employment insecurity and stalling progress on potential legal changes that could grant LGBTQ+ people greater rights. Recent data from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation revealed that LGBTQ+ people are disproportionately impacted economically by the pandemic, and LGBTQ+ people of color are even more likely to have become unemployed due to the virus, are more likely to have had their work hours reduced and are more likely to have asked for delays in paying their rent or bills.

The pandemic has also led to the cancellations or postponements of Pride celebrations across Pennsylvania, the Nation and the world. I know that the decision to set aside these events is very difficult and painful, but I want to commend our Pennsylvania LGBTQ+ leaders and Pride organizers for displaying exemplary concern and acting in the best interest of public safety. You have made the right decision. I also thank you all for the care you have administered to the many LGBTQ+ people suffering from the effects of social isolation due to the pandemic. I am grateful for your efforts to reach out to them, particularly our young people and older adults.

This may feel like a challenging year to celebrate, given the backdrop of unprecedented challenges our Nation is currently facing, but the LGBTQ+ community has a history of resilience. I know this community will once again look adversity directly in the face and rise up together in solidarity and celebration. Although we cannot be physically together for Pride this year, the spirit of Pride is not diminished or forgotten; and although we have a long way to go, we will get there because of you. We’ll get there because of all of the ordinary Americans who every day show extraordinary courage.

I believe in an America where LGBTQ+ people can live free from discrimination. I believe in an America where we judge others only by the grace of their character and strength of their hearts. I believe in an America that values equality as the land of the law. Together, let’s build an America where no matter what you look like or where you come from or whom you love, you can not only live without fear, but dream big dreams and dream as openly as you want.

Thank you, and God bless.

Recognizing Pennsylvania Pride celebrations and their dedicated organizers:

New Hope Pride

Gettysburg Pride

Chester County Pride

Pocono Pride

State College Pride

Pittsburgh Pride

Pittsburgh Peoples Pride

Philadelphia Pride

Doylestown Pride

Lancaster Pride

NWPA Pride (Erie)

Washington Pride

York EqualityFest

NEPA Pride

Reading Pride

Pride Festival of Central PA

Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley

Williamsport Pride

Chambersburg Pride

Bradford County Pride

Altoona Pride

West Branch Pride