Pride Month has always been a movement in support of members of the LGBTQIA+ community. This movement is in remembrance of the community’s defiance at the Stonewall uproar in the late 60s. Since then, members of the community from all over the world come together every June to raise awareness on several issues that include discrimination, human rights, recognition, and acceptance.
All around the world for over 50 years, celebrations occur to exhibit this history of pride beyond the parades and rainbow flags. On its 51st year this 2020, with the CoViD-19 pandemic still ongoing, hundreds of Pride events have been cancelled but that does not mean that the LGBTQIA+ community will cease to fight for their rights and freedoms. You can find various online exhibitions in support of pride month.
Many organizations similar to the LGBT Historical Society in San Francisco will put up an online exhibition featuring images from the city’s pride parades since the 70s. Museums, galleries, and design studios are participating as well through digital exhibitions to highlight the efforts of artists who have historically supported pride month. Some of these institutions include The Whitney Museum, TRNK, The Spinello Gallery in Miami, The National Museum of American History, and more.
In Jakarta, despite not having a Pride March, LGBTQIA+ community leaders have gradually been able to amplify their voices by speaking through other celebrations such as International Women’s Day and Labor Day, using these channels to get their message across to fight against discrimination. Through these efforts, they can fight for their rights peacefully which in itself is a cause for celebration.
Just last year, the largest Pride celebration in Southeast Asia took place in the Philippines with over 70,000 participants who braved the streets of Metro Manila through heavy rainfall and traffic. Since 1996, members of the Philippine LGBTQIA+ community have gathered together to support gender minorities and the growing number of participants annually is definitely a show of strength and solidarity not just from the LGBTQIA+ community but from other members of society, as well.
Pride month has come a long way since Stonewall and with the overwhelmingly positive atmosphere during these celebrations, a massive show of support plus small and consistent steps, there is hope.
Happy Pride Month!
