Gay Pride

Gay pride is the positive affirmation of LGBTQ identity, a stance of dignity and self-acceptance that arose as a political answer to the shame and stigma long imposed on gay people. Activist Frank Kameny popularized the slogan "Gay Is Good" around 1968 as an early rallying cry. Pride as a public event traces to the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City; the first marches were held on June 28, 1970, marking its one-year anniversary. Those commemorations grew into Pride Month, now observed each June with parades, festivals, and cultural events worldwide. Pride blends celebration with continued advocacy, honoring both how far LGBTQ people have come and the work that remains.