Beginnings of pride

Not only in Adelaide, but across the world we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community this June for Pride Month. It is a vibrant showcase of the ongoing struggle for equality and acceptance. But how did this celebration come to be?

Pride Month can be traced back to the Stonewall Uprising of June 1969. A police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in New York City, prompted the local LGBTQIA+ community to fight back against ongoing discrimination and harassment. This sparked many protests. This is often marked as the beginning of the modern LGBTQIA+ rights movement.

In the decades following, LGBTQIA+ activists and allies have organised annual events to commemorate the Stonewall Uprising and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. The significance of Pride Month is more than just a party. It serves as a reminder of the journey with both struggles and triumphs, from the AIDS crisis of the 1980s to the fight for marriage equality. They are a way of spreading across the globe as symbols of unity, visibility, and resilience. You may have seen Pride parades and festivals on your social media or even attended one yourself.

As we celebrate Pride Month this June, let's remember the individuals and groups from both our University community who paved the way for progress. As well as groups such as the Pride Club here at the University of Adelaide and the ALLY Network which are continuing to create a more inclusive campus and community

Find out more about the LGBTQ+ community, see Gender and Sexuality 

How will you celebrate this Pride month?