June Is Gay and Lesbian Pride Month

June is gay and lesbian and pride month here in the United States. June was officially named gay pride month in the year 2000 by former President Bill Clinton. June was chosen to honor the Stonewall riots in 1969. The Stonewall riots were the beginning of the gay movement in the United States. There was a police raid at the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan. The police raided the bar at the Stonewall Inn for only one reason, it was a gay bar. People started rioting after the horrific event and the start of the gay movement was born.

June is the month people are welcomed regardless of sexual orientation. The gay and lesbian community tries to break the stigma associated with their sexual orientations. Gay and lesbian groups host parties, parades and all other kinds of community gatherings. The gay and lesbian community uses June to educate the public regarding the gay movement and the many social challenges the gay and lesbian community face in everyday life.

There are also memorials for the people who died from HIV and AIDS. AIDS and HIV are still big health concerns world wide. The gay and lesbian communities hope to break the stigma attached of having those diseases. That does not mean you have to be gay to get AIDS or HIV, these disease do not discriminate.

The main symbol used to show gay pride is the rainbow flag. The first flag appeared in the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Freedom Day Parade. Artist Gilbert Baker designed the rainbow flag by borrowing symbolism from the hippie movement and black civil rights movement. Each color of the flag does have a meaning and they are as follows: Red for life, Orange for healing, Yellow for sun, Green for serenity with nature, Turquoise for art, Indigo for harmony, and Violet for spirit. Each of these colors represents a part of the gay and lesbian community.

The rainbow colored flag is still used today and can be seen in many different forms. Marketing companies have made everything from bumper stickers available to candle holders. This is a symbol that has been around for a long time and is not going any where any time soon.