The month of June is fun for many reasons—but a big one is that it’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month. These celebrations are intended to eliminate prejudice, honor the great diversity of the American people and celebrate the equal dignity of all.
Where It All Began
Pride Month has roots in the riots that occurred at the Stonewall Inn in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City in 1969. Police conducted a raid in the early morning hours of June 28, on the suspicion that the establishment was serving liquor without a license.
The bar was denied such a license by the New York State Liquor Authority because it served gay patrons. At the time, homosexuality was still considered a criminal offense.
The gay community in New York felt that their treatment, and the closing of other gay clubs throughout the city, was unfair—and people began protesting. Days of demonstrations followed, and the event is now considered the first major protest on behalf of equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community.
A year later on June 28, 1970, activists organized a march to commemorate the one-year anniversary of this raid and protests. Starting at the Stonewall Inn and marching up Fifth Avenue, several thousand people joined by the time the group reached Central Park. Other cities like Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco held marches that year too, with the goal of striving for legal rights for LGBTQ+ Americans.
In 1999, June was officially declared by presidential proclamation as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.
A Month of Parades, Parties, Concerts and More
People celebrate Pride Month—often simply referred to as “Pride”—in cities all around the country with parades, festivals, seminars, concerts and more. And Colorado’s cities and towns are no different. In fact, Denver PrideFest is the third largest pride festival in the country!
- Denver Pride (June 26-27, 2021) will include a Pride5K and virtual Pride parade that will be televised and livestreamed on Facebook and DenverPride.org.
- In the Boulder area, Out Boulder County is organizing Pride events June 7-13. Join them for story times, family planning seminars, drive-in film screenings and motorcade parades to be held in Longmont, Boulder and Lafayette.
Pride Happenings at FRCC
Front Range Community College is celebrating Pride Month with some virtual programming co-hosted by the Student Life teams on all three campuses. Here’s what’s coming up:
Wolf Life PRIDE Flag Giveaway – Westminster
Pick up your very own 12- by 18-inch “Wolf Life” rainbow flag to put you in the mood to celebrate! These fun giveaways are FREE and available through Thursday, June 10. Just stop by the Student Life office (room C-0560) at FRCC’s Westminster Campus on weekdays between 9 am and 4 pm. Happy Pride, everyone!
PRIDE Netflix Teleparties
Join us for a weekly Pride-themed teleparty, celebrating our campuses’ LGBTQIA2S+ communities and raising awareness!
Thursday, June 10 • 7pm – The Half of It (PG-13)
Thursday, June 17 • 7pm – The PROM (PG-13)
Thursday, June 24 • 7pm – Disclosure (TV-MA)
Register to get movie link and Pride movie treat pack. (There’s a limited number of treat packs—so sign up soon!)
Get Involved—Stay Involved!
Want to get involved beyond just the month of June? Explore one of the LGBTQ student groups on your campus:
Boulder County Campus: Q.U.I.P. (Queers United in Pride)
Join us to provide support and community for people of all orientations, gender identities and expressions. Our goal is to promote understanding and inclusion of all intersections—including, but not limited to race, ethnicity, ability and socio-economic status. For more information, contact Leslie Mason: 303.678.3737.
Larimer Campus: Genders & Sexualities Alliance
This club centers on supporting Queer and Trans folks, women, and all others who are marginalized in relation to gender and/or sexuality. For more information, contact Doug Grattan.
Westminster Campus: Club PRISM (Pride, Raising Awareness, Inclusiveness, Support and Mentoring)
PRISM is a group of individuals seeking to build a community with like-minded peers. Students created the club for self-identifying trans and queer students. We are an inclusive community that strives to support the building of friendship and a sense of belonging. We open our doors with respect and support for all students in their identities. Together, PRISM members strive for growth, accomplishment, acceptance and sense of self. For more information contact Paula Prentice.
As we celebrate Pride this month, let’s remember that while the parades and events create camaraderie and are pure fun, they are also symbols that stand for hope and equality.
Each summer, local LGBTQ+ communities work really hard to create educational, fun, safe and diverse activities for everyone to enjoy. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and show your pride.
