Pride Month 2023
LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer) Pride Month is celebrated in June. The first celebration was hosted in New York City on June 28, 1970, when thousands marched in the streets celebrating what was initially called "Gay Pride Day."
This celebration marked the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, a series of spontaneous demonstrations by members of the gay community in response to a police raid of the Stonewall Inn.
The Stonewall Riots are recognized as a critical tipping point in the gay liberation movement that ignited the modern fight for LGBTQ rights in the United States.
Celebrations expanded to include pride parades in more American cities and extended yearly demonstrations. Gay Pride Day soon grew to encompass an entire month focused on uniting public displays of gay pride and social activism.
Today, Pride Month is an annual event celebrated with parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia, concerts, and marches.
Millions of people flock to cities to participate in massive displays of pride. Additionally, memorials are often held to commemorate those in the LGBTQ community who have been lost due to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS.
Pride Month History
Below, we will review Pride Month's history and some ways to keep the tradition going.
Why is Pride Month in June?
Pride Month began one year after the massively influential Stonewall Riots. On June 28, 1969, the police raided Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York's Greenwich Village.
A growing crowd threw objects at the officers' assisted arrest. Violence broke out as tensions between police and New York's gay community exploded. The riots would last three days as people displayed their anger at the harassment the gay community faced.
Who Created Pride Month?
The Stonewall uprising resulted in the formation of several organizations, including the Gay Liberation Front and the Gay Activists Alliance. These groups were modeled after the civil and women's rights movements.
Members organized protests, met with political leaders, and interrupted public meetings to confront those who suppressed their rights as a homage to the fight for gay rights that began with the Stonewall Riots; organizers in 1970 set out to create a day of celebration for the gay community.
Since then, pride demonstrations have expanded to encompass lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities. Celebrations occur throughout the month, and the Stonewall Inn is now a national monument.
How to Celebrate Pride Month in 2023
We at PlushCare want to encourage a balance between the critical realities of our time.
The importance of activism throughout our nation to protest racial inequality cannot be understated. At PlushCare, we're committed to advancing telemedicine so all people can access quality and affordable healthcare.
We also must acknowledge widespread health threats, such as COVID-19. As we enter Pride Month in 2023, we at PlushCare want to raise awareness and encourage safe activism that advances the rights of the LGBTQ+ community while minimizing the spread of COVID-19.
Countless pride events are being hosted both in person and virtually this year, and we encourage you to take the proper precautions to stay safe as you celebrate Pride Month!
Pride Month and Mental Health
Although LGBTQ individuals face a higher risk of mental health conditions than the general population, they often face discrimination in mental health care, making it difficult to access quality treatment. For some people, negative interactions with mental health professionals about sexual orientation might hinder them from seeking treatment when it's needed most.
PlushCare offers online therapy services for various mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Our licensed therapists can help you feel better with inclusive, compassionate mental health treatment.
Pride Month and LGBTQ+ Health
Research has shown that LGBTQ individuals have historically faced health disparities due to social stigma, discrimination, and the denial of civil and human rights. LGBTQ individuals face a higher risk of HIV, STDs, and mental health conditions, especially among communities of color.
We at PlushCare support the health of the LGBTQ community. We offer various resources, from online PrEP prescriptions to mental health resources, to help the LGBTQ+ community access high-quality health care.
How PlushCare Supports the LGBTQ+ Community
PlushCare supports the rights and equal treatment of the LGBTQ community! We are dedicated to improving access to health care for all and are proud to employ and serve a diverse team and patient base.
Additionally, we are proud to be the largest online provider of PrEP, an HIV-preventative medication. Of the thousands of LGBTQ+ patients in our PrEP program, zero have contracted HIV. PrEP, when taken correctly, is highly effective at preventing HIV, and we make it easy and affordable to get the medication online.
Read More About LGBTQ+ and Sexual Health
Sources
CNN. It’s Pride Month. Here’s what you need to know. Accessed on June 10, 2022. https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/01/health/pride-month-explainer/index.html
Library of Congress. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month. Accessed on June 10, 2022. https://www.loc.gov/lgbt-pride-month/about/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preventing HIV with PrEP. Accessed on June 19, 2024 at https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/prevention/prep.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Treating HIV. Accessed on June 19, 2024 at https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/treatment/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/livingwithhiv/treatment.html
