Why Is June Pride Month? A Look Back—and Forward

Every June, cities fill with rainbow flags, parades, and celebration. You’ll see corporate logos slapped onto merch, themed playlists on streaming services, and hashtags galore. And while visibility has its place, many people—especially those just starting to explore their identity—pause to ask:

Why is June Pride Month?

The short answer: because of a riot.

The longer answer? Pride began not as a party, but as a protest. On June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village. Raids like that were routine—queer and trans people, especially those of color, were frequently harassed, arrested, and outed simply for existing. But that night, the community fought back.

Led by trans women of color like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, the resistance at Stonewall sparked several nights of protests. It also ignited a national movement. One year later, in June 1970, the first Pride marches took place in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago to commemorate the uprising and demand equal rights.

So, June became the month we remember.

And yes—over the decades, Pride has evolved. It’s become more visible, more mainstream, more marketable (for better or worse). But at its core, Pride is about resistance, survival, and joy. It’s about showing up fully, especially in a world that still often tells LGBTQIA+ people to shrink, hide, or justify ourselves.

As a therapist, I talk with a lot of clients during Pride month who carry complicated feelings: joy, grief, rage, pride, exhaustion. For some, June is affirming and electric. For others, it’s a reminder of rejection, invisibility, or the journey they’re still walking. All of those responses are valid.

Because Pride isn’t just about waving flags—it’s about claiming space. And sometimes the most radical thing we can do is exist honestly, safely, and without apology.

At Dryad Counseling, I provide trauma-informed, queer-affirming therapy to adults in Ohio and Massachusetts. Whether you’re out and proud, quietly questioning, or still figuring out where you fit, there’s room here for you. No pressure to perform a version of Pride that doesn’t match where you are.

You can learn more or reach out to schedule a session at www.dryadcounseling.com.

This June, remember: Pride isn’t something you have to earn.
You’re already enough—loud, soft, angry, glittery, tired, evolving, exactly as you are.