World celebrates Pride Month this June
It’s Pride Month this June, not only in the US but around the world as LGBT people march to proclaim who they are and their connection with their communities.
The Pride month and their marches coincide with the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in 1969 in New York City, which started the LGBTQ rights movement in the US.
From President Obama’s declaration of June as the 2016 LGBT Pride Month to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raising a Pride flag at Parliament Hill, the Pride Month commemorates the struggles in LGBT history as well as the progress made in the fight for LGBT rights.
Obama’s declaration of Pride Month
President Barack Obama had earlier signed a proclamation last May 31 declaring June as the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month for 2016 in the US.
In his proclamation, President Obama said, “The fight for dignity and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people is reflected in the tireless dedication of advocates and allies who strive to forge a more inclusive society.”
“This month, we recognize all they have done to bring us to this point, and we recommit to bending the arc of our Nation toward justice,” he added.
Likewise, citing the landmark Supreme Court decision last year granting marriage equality in all 50 states, the US president said, “LGBT individuals deserve to know their country stands beside them.”
Trudeau raises the flag for Pride Month
In Ottawa, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised the rainbow banner at Parliament Hill last June 1– for the very first time– and with all the political parties in complete support.
“This is a great day for Canada and it is part of a long series of milestones this country has hit over the years,” Trudeau said.
“It hasn’t been easy, it hasn’t been automatic. A lot of people fought for a long time for this day and for the many days that led up to this day to happen,” he added.
Trudeau– who is also set to make history by being the first sitting PM to attend the Pride Parade– said that there’s still a lot of work to do, like a bill introduced by his government to strengthen transgender rights.
However, he said that, “Canada is united in its defense of rights and in standing up for LGBTQ rights; this is what we are truly celebrating today.”
Marching for Pride Month
Other countries have their own Pride Parades, from Tel Aviv in Israel to London in England.
Tel Aviv recently held a Pride Parade last Friday that was attended by 200,000 people, the largest event of its kind in the Middle East. This year’s theme is ‘Women in the Community’ to highlight the role of women in the LGBT community.
Likewise, the LGBT community in the Davao hometown of the incoming Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte marched last Wednesday, urging the new administration to push for an anti-discrimination legislative agenda for the entire country.
Meanwhile, London will hold its own Pride Parade on June 18 to 26. The parade and street party will bring together hundreds of community groups and students, with the parade to go past a number of London landmarks for their Pride Month celebration.