All You Need To Know About Virtual Pride Month, 2020! - #SocialSunday
|By- Komal Yadav|
If you’re still jonesing for that rainbow connection, there are many ways to continue to show your support for LGBTQ causes as this month marks the 50th anniversary of the Pride Month.
Annually, during the month of June, the LGBTQ community celebrates in several different ways. To recognize the influence of LGBTQ people around the globe various events are held during this special month. But this month the celebrations are going to look way different as the coronavirus pandemic leads to cancelling nearly 500 LGBTQ events, according to a global list by the European Pride Organisers Association.
WHY WAS JUNE CHOSEN?
Because it is when the Stonewall Riots took place, way back in 1969. Pride month also seeks as an opportunity to peacefully protest and raise political awareness of current issues facing the community.
The New York parade is one of the largest and most well-known parades to take place. With many in-person events called off, LGBTQ groups are taking Pride 2020 online. Here's what all you need to know about the events but before that let's take a look at the memoir.
WHAT WERE THE STONEWALL RIOTS?
The raid fired the fuel of the riots which took place during the early morning at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. The LGBTQ community protested against the raid with a series of spontaneous, often violent demonstrations and called for the establishment of places where gays and lesbians could go and be open about their sexual orientation. No person would be curbed in such places making people fearless. The riots served as a catalyst for the rights of LGBTQ people, and within 6 months, 2 gay activist groups were formed in New York. Amidst since the event, many gay rights institutions have been commenced. Not just in the US but around the globe.
WHAT IS LGBTQ or GAY PRIDE?
A movement that celebrates sexual diversity right behind lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. It is a way of protesting about discrimination and violence as well as promoting the dignity, equal rights, self-affirmation alongside shooting up the social awareness of the issues they face.
According to the Liberty of Congress, it is a commemorative month meant to recognize the sweeping impact that LGBTQ individuals, advocates, and allies have on history in the United States and around the world.
WHO STARTED THE JUNE CELEBRATION?
The man behind coordinating the first LGBTQ Pride March, also known as "Mother of Pride", was Brenda Howard. He also instigated the idea of celebrating various events for a week during Pride Day. Thereafter, these events then developed into the annual LGBTQ celebrations which are held every June uniting people in large numbers.
HOW DO PEOPLE CELEBRATE LGBTQ PRIDE MONTH?
In general, there are month-long celebrations and in-person gatherings that take place across the country, including Pride parades, marches, parties, workshops, concerts, and symposiums. Millions of participants participate in vivid events around the world. Members of the LGBTQ community who have lost their lives to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS memorials are also held.
Gilbert Baker, an American artist, gay rights activist, and US Army Veteran, created the iconic rainbow LGBTQ flag in 1948 which is significantly displayed throughout the month being the new symbol for the gay and lesbian political movement. Each colour of the flag has a meaning: red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, blue for harmony, and violet for spirit. Celebrations are incomplete without the rainbow flag making it popular in masses with great enthusiasm.
WHAT IS DIFFERENT IN THIS YEAR’S PRIDE MONTH ?
This year's celebration will be entirely different due to the pandemic. As of now, 50 US states have started to lift the restrictions to restrain the spread of the coronavirus, but LGBTQ parades and marches were and remain cancelled. While some LGBTQ organizations are choosing to make avail of this time to firmly stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. According to an open letter earlier this month by the Human Rights Campaign, more than 100 LGBTQ leaders and organizations have united to combat racial violence and injustice as the month gets underway. Although, Thanks to the slew of online events that you can still be a part of the LGBTQ community and allies of the event by connecting virtually.
A virtual challenge called #21DayAllyChallenge, an initiative by Pride Circle has been organized. The challenge aims to bring together individuals and influencers from over 28 countries and 70 organizations to build a community of LGBTQ+Allies. Commenced on June 1, there's a series of 21 mini challenges spread for 21 days because it takes only 21 days to form a new habit backed by science says the Pride Circle. Anyone can sign up and participate free of cost by clicking on the link.
https://thepridecircle.com/21daysallychallenge/
Big shopping brands have also shown up their contribution to this Pride Month. They are giving back in meaningful way by teaming up with NGO’s that amplify LGBTQ Voices and deliver whatever resources they are in need with. Dedicated items have been made to support the movement by 25 brands including Adidas, Apple, Disney, Mac, Nike, and Puma. If you want to make your money count for noble cause, make sure you are spending money on companies that have shown a commitment to love, diversity, and inclusivity.
Here’s the list of virtual festivals that you might attend.
1. Global Pride hosted by the European Pride Organizers Association and InterPride in partnership with some other LGBTQ organizations will conduct a worldwide virtual event featuring 24 hours of musical performances, speeches from world leaders, and messages from human rights activists. On 27 June, the event will be streamed on YouTube and the Global Pride website.
2. New York City Pride (NYC Pride) rally will witness the first-ever virtual Trans March on Facebook and YouTube hosted by transgender journalist Ashlee Marie Preston and transgender actor Brian Micheal Smith. It will kick off on June 26 at a to be decided time. A special broadcast will air on ABC news on June 28.
3. San Francisco Pride will host an online celebration rally on June 27 from 1 p.M. To 9 p.m PT and on June 28 from 2 p.m to 7 p.m PT. The event can be live-streamed via San Francisco's Pride's website.
4. Seattle Pride will hold a series of virtual events from June 26 to June 28. To register here, you must go to Together for Pride website which is free of cost.
5. Cincinnati Black Pride will be holding online events like film festivals and awards ceremony. It aims to celebrate cultural and social contributions made by black LGBTQ identifying people, according to their website.
The bottom line? Pride month is so important because it symbolizes the start of huge change not just within the LGBT community but also in the wider scale of societal implications. Although attitudes and injustice remain, we have covered a long journey since the riots of 1969 and by continuing in this long-standing tradition we pick up the threads to raise awareness, improve the attitudes of society and encourage inclusiveness.
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