June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month. Pride month originated as a single day commemorating the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, with the first Pride march held in New York City on the one-year anniversary of the uprising, June 28, 1970. As the Library of Congress explains, “in major cities across the nation the ‘day’ soon grew to encompass a month-long series of events. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBTQ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world.”
While Pride Month is a time for celebration, it’s also a time for reflection about—and action to stop—ongoing violence and discrimination against LGBTQ+ members of our community. Those of us who identify as heterosexual and/or cisgender bear a responsibility to educate ourselves and join our LGBTQ+ family, friends, co-workers and neighbors in the fight for equal rights.
Florida recently passed a “Don’t Say Gay” bill that bans discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in schools, with lawmakers in a dozen other states proposing similar laws. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered investigation of parents who provide gender-affirming medical care to their transgender children. Violence against transgender people reached record highs across the U.S. in 2021. And a recently-leaked draft U.S. Supreme Court decision that would overturn Roe v. Wade rests on a legal foundation that jeopardizes marriage equality and other civil rights. After decades of progress toward LGBTQ+ equality, these hard-won civil rights are under attack. It’s time for us all to step up, speak up and stop this roll-back.
Resources for Adults
Perhaps you’re not familiar with some of the terms used in this month’s newsletter, like “cisgender” or the “+” at the end of LGBTQ+. Human Rights Campaign (HRC) knows that many people “refrain from talking about sexual orientation and gender identity or expression because it feels taboo, or because they’re afraid of saying the wrong thing.” HRC has produced a glossary to “give people the words and meanings to help make conversations easier and more comfortable.”
Here’s a helpful article on “How to talk to kids about gender,” because it's never too early to begin doing so. From birth, children are bombarded with gender stereotypes—stereotypes about which kinds of toys, music, movies, mannerisms, etc. are for boys or girls. These stereotypes are typically rooted in sexism, toxic masculinity and homophobia. Bullying among children around gender stereotypes is all too common. LGBTQ+ youth and those perceived as LGBTQ+ are at an increased risk of being bullied. The federal government interagency project StopBullying.gov notes that bullying puts all youth at “increased risk for depression, suicidal ideation, misuse of drugs and alcohol, experiencing sexual violence, engaging in unsafe sex practices, and can affect academics as well.” The risk is even higher for LGBTQ+ youth. StopBullying.gov provides helpful tips for creating a safe environment for LGBTQ+ youth and ParentsTogether offers this great explainer on toxic masculinity with tips for addressing it in our families.
More Resources for Educators, Kids & Families
DC’s Pride Parade will be held Saturday, June 11 in the Logan and Dupont Circle neighborhoods. Rainbow Families, a nonprofit organization providing education, resources, and support services for LGBTQ+ parents, families, and parents-to-be, will host a family-friendly Fun Zone at the parade. And Capital Pride Alliance, in collaboration with many partners, hosts events throughout DC’s Pride week (June 6-12), culminating with a free festival and concert on Pennsylvania Avenue on Sunday, June 12.
