LOUD AND PROUD DURING PRIDE MONTH
By: Jodi Goodfellow
Since Pride Month has officially kicked off and is continuing throughout June, we wanted to acknowledges the tremendous achievements made to expand inclusivity and equality for 2SLGBTQ+ people.
According to PBS,when police raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in the Greenwich Village section of New York City on June 28, 1969, the street erupted into violent protests that lasted for the next six days. The Stonewall riots, as they came to be known, marked a major turning point in the modern gay civil rights movement in the United States and around the world. The first Pride march in New York City was held on June 28, 1970, on the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.
Since then many cities across the world have produced similar marches, protests and parades bringing awareness to the important and ongoing issues that still need to be addressed in the 2SLGBTQ+ community. June is a time to publicly (and proudly) celebrate love and identity in all of its shapes and forms and there is no question that fashion has played a key role in how people express themselves during Pride.
Clothing has the power to create conversation. Being ‘loud and proud’ isn’t just about using voices, it also references making a visual spectacle in order to be seen. The basis of Pride is being able to express oneself, fashion and style are so closely related to that. Glamour, diversity and individuality are all contributing factors to the evolution of queer fashion and expressionism during Pride festivals, whether it be short-shorts and a crop top, a flowy rainbow dress, metallics or full drag.
Pride isn't just a safe place to express oneself, it is also a safe place to explore and try new things. It offers an opportunity to experiment and celebrate.
Over the decades, Pride festivals have no doubt created positive changes around the globe. Each milestone has broken barriers of discrimination and brought forward inclusion.
Ready to grab your rainbow flag and get your Pride on? Here are eight notable Pride Parades happening around the world this month:
Washington DC Pride Parade: June 11, 2023
Zurich Pride Parade: June 17, 2023
Dublin Pride Parade: June 24, 2023
Paris Pride Parade: June 24, 2023
Mexico City Pride Parade: June 25, 2023
San Fransisco Pride Parade: June 25, 2023
Toronto Pride Parade: June 25, 2023
NYC Pride Parade: June 26th, 2023