8 Facts About Pride Month

It’s Pride Month and events are taking place all around the world as the LGBTQ community celebrates and recognizes the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on society.

Rainbow flags and bright colours may catch your eye, but it’s important not to forget that the celebration calls for greater unity, visibility and equality for the LGBTQ community.

As we edge toward the end of June, here are 10 facts about Pride:

1. The rainbow Pride flag was designed by artist Gilbert Baker in 1978 in San Francisco.
2. Every colour on the flag has a meaning: red represents life, orange is for healing, yellow symbolizes sunlight, green stands for nature, blue portrays harmony while violet signifies spirit.
3. Sao Paulo in Brazil hosted the largest ever Pride in 2006, where 2.5 million people attended.
4. Early Pride events were often referred to as “Gay Liberation” or “Gay Freedom” marches.
5. Brenda Howard is known as the “Mother of Pride” for organizing marches and celebrations.
6. Canada’s first legally married same-sex couple tied the knot in 2003.
7. Global Pride Day will be celebrated on June 28th.
8. The Stonewall Riots in June of 1969, served as the catalyst for gay rights movements across the world after New York Police raided a well-known gay club.