Pride Month

5/29/2025

Beatriz Mueller

June is LGBQT+ Pride month, a time to honor the history and advocate for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. Pride month originated as a commemoration of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ liberation movement. The riots began when police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Greenwich Village, New York City sparking widespread protests and a push for change. The events at Stonewall became the catalyst for a broader movement which had long fought for equal civil rights. Today, Pride movements across the country continue that mission by commemorating Stonewall, fostering unity and support for LGBTQ+ communities, raising awareness of LGBTQ+ history, educating about the impacts of oppression, and advocating for equal rights in sectors such as healthcare, housing, public accommodations, and employment.

June was first recognized as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month by President Bill Clinton, later expanded to LGBT Pride Month by President Barack Obama. In 2021, President Joe Biden further broadened the recognition to LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Trailblazers like Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S., and transgender rights activist Sylvia Rivera, helped pave the way for future generations to continue the fight against hate and homophobia. This year’s Pride theme is “Activisim and Social Change”. LGBTQIA+ groups and allies observe this time with Pride parades, picnics, parties, memorials for those lost to hate crimes and HIV/AIDS, and other gatherings that foster solidarity and celebration. The last Sunday in June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Day.

Did you know?

Homosexuality was not fully decriminalized in the United States until 2003!
The colors in the rainbow flag have symbolic meanings, often representing different aspects of the LGBTQ+ experience, such as life, love, healing, and peace
The U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states on June 26, 2015.
The first Pride flag was designed by gay artist Gilbert Baker in 1978.

From the Human Rights Campaign: “But this is also a moment of crisis for our country and our community. Lives are literally on the line. Too many people — trans people, Black and Brown people, people living with HIV & AIDS, people being denied basic care — are facing unprecedented attacks.”

Despite significant progress in acceptance and inclusion, policies and laws continue to be introduced, negatively impacting the LGBQT+ community. Currently, the ACLU is tracking 588 Anti-LGBTQ bills across the United States. These measures include but are not limited to forced outings in schools, book bans, restrictions on public accommodations, and curriculum censorship. While not all of these bills may become law, their presence alone has serious consequences that threaten the daily safety and the emotional, mental, and physical health and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals.

“LGBTQ+ Pride is an important time for celebrating love and self-expression, remembering historical progress, and committing to more inclusive communities. And it can most certainly be a family-friendly occasion! While Pride is primarily created by and for the LGBTQ+ community, everyone can still celebrate and learn during Pride month even if no one in your family identifies as LGBTQ+.” From Parentstogether.org

Crowdsourced article from DoSomething.org: We Are Stronger Together

Things you can do with your family during Pride Month (from the Parents Together IG account):

Learn about the incredible diversity of the community around you.
Embrace messages of acceptance and love, and the freedom to be your unique self.
Expand your family’s ideas about LGBTQ people, culture, and history (whether you are part of that community yourself or not)
Learn about various Pride flags and symbols, and what they mean
Define the terms in “LGBTQ” and more – show kids there’s nothing wrong with these words when used respectfully
Support friends, family, neighbors, your kids, and/or their peers and ask questions like: How do you think you’d feel if you were the only trans kid at school or who had two moms, etc. and then attended your first Pride?

At Harborlight, we stand with the LBGQT+ community, in solidarity and in the ongoing fight for equality for all. We believe in human dignity, equal rights for all, and freedom for all people.

SAVE THE DATE! Harborlight will be participating in the North Shore Pride Parade and Festival on June 28, 2025. It starts at noon at Shetland Park, 27 Congress Street, Salem, MA 01970. We would love to have you join in for however much time you would like! We will have face painting and other fun activities. More details to follow within the next couple of weeks with meeting location and route. This event will take place RAIN OR SHINE!

Happy Pride Month!

“It takes no compromise to give people their rights ... it takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no political deal to give people freedom. It takes no survey to remove repression.” Harvey Milk

We should live our lives in a state of inclusion and wonder at the diversity of humanity. – George Takei

"Love takes off the masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within." —James Baldwin

“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.” — Brené Brown

Resources:

The Trevor Project
Glsen (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network)
Supporting LGBTQ Students in Elementary School | Edutopia
Inclusive Education Benefits All Children | Learning for Justice
The Society for Human Rights is the oldest documented gay rights organization in the U.S
Books from Commonsense Media

Here is a short list of books:

Preschool:

Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer: Love is baking a special cake. Love is lending a helping hand. Love is reading one more book. In this exuberant board book, many different families are shown in happy activity, from an early morning wake-up to a kiss before bed. Whether a child has two moms, two dads, one parent, or one of each, this simple preschool read-aloud demonstrates that what's most important in each family's life is the love the family members share.

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell: This true story about two penguins, Roy and Silo, at the Central Park Zoo who created a nontraditional family offers a heartwarming look at the boundless definitions of family and love.

Mommy, Mama, and Me; and Daddy, Papa, and Me by Lesléa Newman: These books follow toddlers who spend the day with their two moms and two dads, respectively.

Pink is for Boys: Pink is for boys . . . and girls . . . and everyone! Life is not color-coded! This timely and timeless board book rethinks and reframes the stereotypical blue/pink gender binary and empowers kids and their grown-ups to express themselves in every color of the rainbow. Featuring a diverse group of children, Pink Is for Boys invites and encourages young kids to enjoy what they love to do, whether it's racing cars and playing baseball, or loving unicorns and dressing up.

Elementary School

The Family Book by Todd Parr: This book introduces readers to a diverse range of families, encouraging them to empathize with peers who may have single parents, same-sex parents, other relatives raising them or any number of supposedly “nontraditional” homes.

Jacob’s New Dress by Sarah and Ian Hoffman: Jacob loves to play dress-up, when he can be anything he wants to be. This heartwarming story speaks to the unique challenge faced by boys who don’t identify with traditional gender roles.

One of a Kind, Like Me/Único como yo by Laurin Mayeno: Tomorrow is the school parade, and Danny knows exactly what he will be: a princess. And his family is going to help him do it. English/Spanish bilingual book.

Annie’s Plaid Shirt by Stacy B. Davids: Annie’s mom demands her daughter wear a dress to her uncle’s wedding. But Annie is miserable and feels weird wearing dresses. So, she has a better idea. This book will encourage students to consider gender norms and possibly rethink the boundaries of personal expression.

Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders and Steven Salerno:

Celebrate Pride and its iconic rainbow flag-a symbol of inclusion and acceptance around the world. In this true story, young readers will trace the life of the Gay Pride Flag, from its beginnings in 1978 with social activist Harvey Milk and designer Gilbert Baker to its spanning of the globe and its role in today's world. It’s a story of love, hope, equality, and pride.

Upper Elementary

Gay & Lesbian History for Kids: The Century-Long Struggle for LGBT Rights by Jerome Pohlen: This interactive book, complete with 21 activities for kids, highlights LGBTQ individuals who shaped world history.

Antonio’s Card/La tarjeta de Antonio by Rigoberto González: This English/Spanish bilingual book follows Antonio, a boy searching for the words to express his love for his mother and her partner Leslie (who his classmates make fun of) on Mother’s Day.

LGBTQ+ Heroes: 51 Inspiring Icons Who Changed the World by L.V. Heston and Helder Oliveira: 51 LGBTQ+ role models from the 1800s until today who used their voices to uplift and advance their community, their fields of work or study, and the world! This collection of biographies for kids celebrates the lives and accomplishments of LGBTQ+ trailblazers whose dedication, skills, and bravery helped pave the way for a better future. Ways to learn more: Each brief biography includes an inspiring quote, and another way to learn about the person and their work, like a book to read, a website to visit, or a video to watch!

Middle School

Drama by Raina Telgemeier: This graphic novel focuses on Callie and the dramatic (in more ways than one) production of a middle school play. The book also features openly gay characters, worked seamlessly into the plot without their identity being a crisis point.

The Misfits Series by James Howe: These books that inspired No Name-Calling Week follow Bobby, Joe, Addie and Skeezie, best friends experiencing middle school and bullying. These books tackle growing up gay, interracial relationships, queer identity and more.

The Other Boy by M. G. Hennessey: This novel follows Shane Woods, a 12-year-old boy who loves pitching for his baseball team, working on his graphic novel and hanging out with his best friend, Josh. When his secret—that he was assigned female at birth—comes out, he finds acceptance from people he feared wouldn’t understand.

Queer Heroes: Meet 53 LGBTQ Heroes from Past and Present! This book celebrates the achievements of LGBTQ+ people around the world through history with color portraits of 53 diverse inspirational role models accompanied by short biographies focusing on their successes. Discover tales of courage, triumph, and determination. Celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, showing children that anything is possible.

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