11 Facts About Pride and the LGBTQIA+ Movement

Pride is a time to come together to celebrate and support the LGBTQIA+ community, while also reflecting on the ongoing fight for LGBTQIA+ rights. In recent months, we’ve seen an increase in legislative attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community with the passing of many anti-trans and anti-gay bills. As we work to combat this hate and build a diverse and welcoming community, we look to the many moments in history that sparked joy and inclusivity for this community. As we celebrate, let’s take time to learn more about the history of Pride and the LGBTQIA+ movement.

Check out these eleven facts and learn how you can take action to support the LGBTQIA+ community!

1. The Stonewall Uprising took place early morning on June 28, 1969 when police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar known as a safe place for LGBTQIA+ individuals. The raid sparked riots, six days of protests, and clashes with police. Although the uprising was not the start of the LGBTQIA+ movement, it was seen as a critical moment and spark in the movement. The Stonewall Inn is still open today in New York City and is a national monument!
2. One year after the Stonewall Uprising, cities nationwide held what were considered to be the first Pride parades. These parades, called gay liberation marches, were commemorative, but also protests. The marches drew the presence of thousands of people, police resistance, and media coverage. This became a way for people to show their pride while continuing to fight for LGBTQIA+ rights. These parades and marches still live on today!
3. One of the most popular ways to celebrate Pride is to attend a Pride parade or a festival! Each year there are hundreds of parades in various cities across the country! New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston are just some of the cities known for their celebrations! Find one near you to show your support for the LGBTQIA+ movement and to honor the history of Pride marches.
4. There have been so many history-making moments for the LGBTQIA+ community this year (2022)! Laverne Cox inspired the first transgender Barbie doll, Lia Thomas became the first transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division One title, and Justine Lindsay became the NFL’s first openly transgender cheerleader! From Ariana DeBose’s Oscar win to Karine Jean-Pierre’s new role as White House Press Secretary, there are so many moments within the LGBTQIA+ community that deserve to be celebrated!
5. The Society for Human Rights is the oldest documented gay rights organization in the U.S. It’s based in Chicago and was founded by Henry Gerber in 1924. While stationed in Germany on Army duty, Gerber was met with an open LGBT community. His hope was to replicate this open, mainstream LGBT community in the U.S. It was an uphill battle as he faced threats and was arrested, but he never stopped advocating for the LGBT community. In 2015, the Henry Gerber House was declared a National Historic Landmark.

1. The U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states on June 26, 2015. This was a monumental moment for the LGBTQIA+ community. The Court’s ruling means that states can no longer deny same-sex marriages and must recognize their unions. Love wins!
2. You can’t be what you can’t see. That’s why we are so excited to see the LGBTQIA+ community represented on our screens! From the new queer vampire series on Netflix, First Kill, to Schitt’s Creek and Élite, there are so many great shows that center inclusivity and representation!
3. The first Pride flag was designed by gay artist Gilbert Baker in 1978. It originally had eight stripes with each color symbolizing a different concept. The flag first flew on Gay Pride Day in San Francisco on June 25, 1978.
4. Did you know that Pride is celebrated at different times throughout the year depending on what city you’re in? Atlanta, Orlando, and Louisville all celebrate Pride in October, closer to National Coming Out Day on October 11. There are also other celebrations throughout the year such as Atlanta Black Pride during Labor Day weekend. We love celebrating Pride all year long!
5. You might be wondering what the Pride flag looks like today. It’s common to see different variations of it because there are actually 17 different Pride flags! Each one symbolizes different identities so you might see a Progress Pride flag, Pansexual Pride flag, Lesbian Pride flag, and so many others! We love inclusivity!
6. DoSomething members just like you are helping to make a more inclusive community for people who identify as LGBTQIA+. Check out DoSomething’s crowdsourced LGBTQIA+ ally guide, We Are Stronger Together.

Join us as we work to build inclusive and diverse communities. Education and awareness are just the first steps toward allyship, but we hope you continue to take action to foster and build welcoming spaces for those in the LGBTQIA+ community! Take more action by, learning more about and getting involved with organizations like GLAAD, It Gets Better Project, Trevor Project, and PFLAG.