We’re celebrating! June is Pride month; when LGBTQ+ communities around the world come together and celebrate the freedom to be themselves.
Pride History...
Pride festivals, marches and events mark the anniversary of the Stonewall riots on 28th June 1969 in New York City. Police raids on gay bars, harrassment and arrests were a common occurrence. A particular raid on the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village saw the first time that queer communities fought back. Tired of years of harassment, New York’s gay community retaliated with a weekend of riots, which is seen as the birth of the gay liberation movement.
The name Pride...
The name Pride is credited to Brenda Howard, the “Mother of Pride”; a bisexual New York activist who organised the first Pride parade to mark the one year anniversary of the Stonewall uprising.
The rainbow flag...
The distinctive rainbow flag was designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978; Baker was commissioned to make a flag for the upcoming Pride celebrations by San Francisco city supervisor Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States. Baker’s rainbow design represents the many groups within the LGBTQ+ community, whilst giving a nod to the stripes of the American flag.
The movement...
We have come a long way on our journey of social reform, and there is still a way to go to reach true equality. Reforms such as gender recognition, civil partnerships, equal marriage, anti-discrimation and protections are all leading to full legal equality.
There is still work to be done, in Pride Month and beyond, to support communities, educate the wider society and make everyone feel safe, included and accepted wherever they are.
At Accio...
We’re all about home; it is the place we feel safe, comfortable, supported and able to be ourselves. We feel relaxed enough to put our feet up on the sofa, free enough to unleash our belly laugh. It is a space that provides for us and expresses our character; a feeling of warmth and freedom to do whatever we want. A place to be with our loved ones.
But we all should feel and be free to be ourselves wherever we are, not just in our safe space at home. As allies, we shall continue to educate ourselves, observe, listen and show support to the LGBTQ+ community. We believe in equality. Let’s take pride in who we are, celebrate ourselves and everyone around us!
Let’s make love, inclusivity and diversity a staple mood.
#PrideMonth #Equality #AccioHomes