By Melinda Williams, M.Ed, LPCC, NCC
Clinical Counselor, Psychiatric Center of Northwest Ohio
Welcome to June, the beginning of summertime and Pride month. Pride celebrates the LGBTQIA2S+ community and the folks within that community. LGBTQIA2S+ is an acronym meaning lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual or agender, and two-spirit; the plus allows space for a wide spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities. Pride celebrates the LGBTQIA2S+ community in a positive, affirming way, promoting dignity, equality and visibility.
The roots of the gay rights movement started in the 1900s, but Pride, as a movement, was ignited by and is in memory of the Stonewall Riots of 1969. The Stonewall Inn, a bar in the Greenwich area of New York City, was known to serve gay people, which at the time was illegal, drawing the police’s attention. In June 1969, the patrons, community and activists fought back.
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