The Gender and Sexuality Alliance or GSA is working to raise awareness and support for our LGBTQ+ community and its allies. MA's GSA is a student-led and student-organized club that aims to create a safe, welcoming, and accepting school environment for all youth, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
As many of us are aware, the month of June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Pride Month occurs to commemorate the Stonewall riots that took place in June of 1969. The Stonewall riots were a series of spontaneous demonstrations by members of the LGBTQ+ community in response to a police raid that began on June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in the Greenwich Village neighborhood. The Stonewall Riots were followed by several days of demonstrations in New York and were the impetus for the formation of the Gay Liberation Front as well as other gay, lesbian and bisexual civil rights organizations. It's also seen as history's first major protest in favor of equal rights for the community. As a result, many pride events are held during this month to recognize the impact LGBTQ+ people have had in the world.
The following are some important, yet not widely known, LGBTQ+ awareness days preceding the month of June that take place in May:
May 17
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
May 24
Pansexual and Panromantic Visibility Day
May 26
Agender Pride Day
Homophobia
Homophobia is a problem that occurs against the LGBTQ+ community and sometimes can even go unrecognized.
If you are looking for resources on how you can be an ally to your fellow LGBTQ community members, please check out the resources below.