This is a great video where Matt Baume explains “Why Do We Have Pride?”

Celebrating pride with parades, events, and festivals are a way for the LGBT community to celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender culture together.  Usually the events happen annually in the month of June to commemorate the Stonewall riots (1969), a pivotal moment for the LGBT community. It all began on a hot June night in New York at a bar called The Stonewall Inn. The bars back in the day were a safe haven / refuge for people to feel comfortable and be themselves. There was so much violence towards LGBT people that a place like The Stonewall Inn was their safe haven. Each year that pasted the Stonewall riots pride began to grow, more and more people came out of the closet and celebrated in the streets.

Pride is a celebration to share, with the LGBT community, who you are, be strong and proud!

On January 1, 1962, Illinois became the first state to decriminalize homosexual behavior when it repealed its sodomy laws.

The events also at times serve as demonstrations for legal rights such as same-sex marriage.

Seattle, Washington, USA- June 29, 2015: This image shows participants in the 2015 Seattle Pride Parade. The Pride Parade celebrates gay rights and attracts large crowds each year. These people are walking along the parade route.

Celebrate who you are all year long and be proud!

Seattle, Washington, USA- June 29, 2015: This image shows participants in the 2015 Seattle Pride Parade. The Pride Parade celebrates gay rights and attracts large crowds each year. These people are walking along the parade route.