Last Updated on 1 November, 2025 by Cara Sutra
What is LGBTQIA+ Pride? Why Do We Still Need Pride Month?
The LGBTQIA+ Pride low-down – and why we still need Pride Month
Happy LGBTQIA+ Pride Month! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ How wonderful it is to see people coming together to celebrate love and diversity in all its beautiful forms. Each year, the month of June is an opportunity to focus on the importance of acceptance, unity, and support for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It’s a time to embrace our differences, stand together in solidarity, and create a welcoming space where everyone feels valued and respected. Love is love, and what a worthy cause for celebration that is!
What exactly is Pride? Why do we have a Pride Month – and is it really still necessary? Let’s take a closer look at Pride: how it started, how it’s going, and why it’s still enormously relevant even now, in 2024.
What does LGBTQIA+ stand for?
LGBTQIA+ represents the spectrum of sexualities and genders which make up the beautiful diversity of humanity – ie. the rainbow of Pride 🏳️🌈 . It’s important to note that sexuality and gender are distinct components of an individual. Also, gender non-conforming individuals are valid, non-binary people (not identifying as male or female) are valid, bisexual people exist and are not simply ‘on the fence’ between hetero and gay, or greedy – and transmen are men and transwomen are women 🏳️⚧️ .
LGBTQIA+ is an inclusive acronym that represents the diverse spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities. The acronym is broken down as follows:
- Lesbian – A lesbian is a woman who is attracted to other women.
- Gay – The most common usage of the term ‘gay’ is a man who is attracted to other men. However, the term ‘gay’ can also apply to any individual who is attracted to people of the same gender.
- Bisexual – A bisexual person is someone attracted to more than one gender.
- Transgender – A transgendered person is someone who identifies with a gender different from the one they were assigned at birth. Being trans relates to gender identity and is separate from sexuality.
- Queer – This term is often used to describe individuals whose sexual orientation or gender identity falls outside societal norms. It’s a broad term that can encompass various identities within the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Intersex – An intersex person is someone who is born with variations in their sex characteristics that do not fit typical definitions of male or female.
- Asexual – An asexual person is someone who does not experience sexual attraction to others. Asexuality is a valid sexual orientation where individuals may still have romantic feelings and relationships, but without the sexual component.
- The “+” represents the multitude of other sexualities and genders.
Although there is a well-known, umbrella rainbow flag representing the expansive spectrum of Pride, each of these identities in LGBTQIA has their own flag too.
Various Pride Flags:
As a pansexual/bisexual woman, I am proud to be part of the LGBTQIA+ community. My husband is a bisexual man. Bi-erasure is a real thing, to the point where I’ve at times questioned whether I’m qualified to write about Pride, Pride Month or various LGBTQIA+ issues. I have to remind myself that I’m literally one of the letters in the acronym. I need to stop contributing to my own bi-erasure and proudly stand up as a pansexual/bisexual woman. In addition, although it isn’t something I’m able to speak about in depth here on the blog, I’m very much B with the T – an active ally of transgender people in my everyday life.
What is Pride?
Pride is a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community, where people come together to promote equality, diversity, and acceptance. It’s a time to recognize the impact and contributions of LGBTQIA+ individuals and raise awareness about important issues they face. Pride events often include parades, festivals, and activities that aim to create a sense of community and support for LGBTQIA+ rights. It’s a vibrant and inclusive celebration that promotes love, acceptance, and diversity.
Pride Month is celebrated in June every year, but the battle for equal rights, equal access to everything society has to offer – legal or social – and the campaign against intolerance, bigotry and hate is important all year long. June is simply a time to shine a spotlight specifically on the issues LGBTQIA+ people face, and an opportunity to celebrate the diverse individuals who make up the community.
Are Pride Events Appropriate for Children & Family-Friendly?
Pride events can vary, but most Pride celebrations aim to create a family-friendly environment where people of all ages can come together to celebrate love, diversity, and acceptance. Pride should be a place where families and children can enjoy the festivities in a safe and inclusive setting.
I have visited a couple of Pride marches and events here in the UK, and any adults-only behaviour/entertainment was contained in areas separated from the main routes, and clearly signposted as strictly for adults.
We really enjoyed our family visits to Pride and I strongly urge everyone to attend a Pride event when it’s happening somewhere accessible to you. At Pride you will not only be adding your presence and voice to the supportive allyship in the crowd, there will also be ample opportunity to financially contribute to local (as well as wider-reaching) LGBTQIA+ campaigns and projects.
Find a Pride near you! ➡️ United States of America | United Kingdom
Pride’s Origin Story
Pride started as a response to the Stonewall Riots on June 28, 1969 in New York City. The riots were a series of demonstrations by members of the LGBTQIA+ community against a police raid that took place at the Stonewall Inn. These events sparked the modern LGBTQIA+ rights movement and led to the first Pride marches in 1970, commemorating the anniversary of the riots. Pride has since grown into a global celebration of diversity, equality, and acceptance.
Do We Really Still Need Pride Month?
Yes. We really do. Pride Month is still incredibly important because it serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for equality and acceptance for the LGBTQIA+ community. It’s a time to celebrate diversity, raise awareness about LGBTQIA+ rights, and show support for those who may still face discrimination. Pride Month helps to create a more inclusive and understanding society for everyone.
Just look at any article online, or news outlet social media post, about pride month – then read the comments. So much hate and bigotry and intolerance still exist, even in this day and age. I’m not sharing examples here because frankly, it’s upsetting.
Why do people still have such an issue with LGBTQIA+ (in particular, trans) people? I feel it has to come down to a lack of understanding, a lack of empathy, fear of the unknown, or societal norms that have been ingrained over time. Education, awareness, and empathy are crucial in promoting acceptance and inclusivity for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender or gender expression. It’s important to continue advocating for equality and respect for everyone.
And that’s what LGBTQIA+ Pride, and Pride Month, is for. Pride is a celebration of diversity, yes, but it’s important to remember that Pride is a protest. It is an active movement campaigning and battling for equal acceptance in society, and equal legal rights, for everyone – no matter their sexuality or gender.
Wishing you all a very happy Pride Month! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
