Celebrating Pride Month on Campus

LGBTQ+ Pride Month occurs each June in the United States to memorialize the Stonewall Uprising of the late 1960s. The month centers on celebrating LGBTQ+ culture, uplifting LGBTQ+ voices, and supporting LGBTQ+ rights.

A 2019 Association of American Universities survey reported that roughly 16% of college students identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and/or questioning. It is important that colleges recognize this month and that institutions of higher education celebrate the contributions LGBTQ+ students make on their campuses.

The celebration of Pride Month is anchored in June in remembrance of the Stonewall Uprising. The Stonewall Inn was a bar in Greenwich Village that served as a gathering place for many gay community members. One night, police raided the establishment, arresting both employees and customers. This led to six days of clashes and protests. Although there had been many previous acts of resistance and protests from the LGBTQ+ community, this event served as an inflection point in the gay civil rights movement.

On the first anniversary of the uprising, a march was organized down Christoper Street to Central Park under the theme of “Gay Pride.” Since then, similar marches have expanded across the United States in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.

Pride is observed to remember the historical struggle and marginalization of the LGBTQ+ community and to celebrate the many contributions of LGBTQ+ people. Taking the time to acknowledge the positive impact of LGBTQ+ people fosters diversity and highlights the importance of embracing an inclusive community.

For those celebrating as allies, there are many considerations to make before celebrating Pride Month on campus. First and foremost, you should understand the true meaning of Pride. It’s not just a party. For many, it’s also a form of protest where members of the LGBTQ+ community unabashedly celebrate their identities — identities that have been stigmatized and criminalized throughout history.

You should also respect the concept of being “out and proud.” The queer space is often a celebration of uniqueness. Within the community, this may mean that people will unapologetically demonstrate their personalities through their outward appearance. It is critical for allies to understand the significance of these expressions and to avoid co-opting them as a prop for partying.

Another point to consider when partaking in Pride is being mindful of your privilege. Allies should be using their privilege to support — not appropriate — the celebration. This also means extending your privilege to protect those in the LGBTQ+ community who may face homophobic and transphobic comments and threats.

If you’re an ally stepping into another community’s celebratory space, whether at a parade or events around campus, please be considerate by acting respectfully. Prioritize the requests and needs of people in the LGBTQ+ community, but remember that the community is not a monolith — the best way to provide support might differ for different community members.

As a college student, you can work with campus organizations, faculty members, and diversity office coordinators at your university to help celebrate Pride. Many schools are invested in building more inclusive environments and working to ensure that there is no discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity on campus.

By lending a hand in organizing and volunteering for events, you can put your support into action. When you help “do the work” by supporting these events, you honor the Pride movement’s history and celebrate the continuing achievements of the LGBTQ+ community.

It is important that members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies feel supported on campus. This support can present itself in many ways.

First, you can encourage organizations you belong to on campus to incorporate Pride into their visual media on campus and through their social media presence. As an individual college student, you can also show support during your day-to-day life. Incorporating visual cues during Pride month — and also throughout the year! — demonstrates love, support, and acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community.

Hanging signs and lights, reposting relevant content, and choosing Pride-celebrating clothing are simple ways to lend visible support to the LGBTQ+ community.