The International LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Pride Day, also known as Gay Pride Day, is celebrated every year on June 28 and consists of a series of events that different groups hold publicly to fight for the equality and dignity of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
Currently, in many countries around the world, sexual diversity is persecuted and criminalized by laws and authorities. Moreover, in several countries it has already been accepted at the state level. Society is still far from accepting a reality that should have been normalized long ago.
Why is Gay Pride celebrated on June 28th?
The International LGBT Pride Day is celebrated on June 28 due to the commemoration of the Stonewall Riots (New York, USA) that took place in 1969, which marked the beginning of the gay liberation movement.
On that day there was a police raid on the Stonewall Inn pub, located in a New York neighborhood. In response, several riots and violent demonstrations broke out spontaneously to protest against a system that persecuted homosexuals.
These riots, along with other events that occurred later, are considered to be the first signs of struggle by the homosexual community in the United States and the world. They are considered the precedents of the Gay Pride marches.
Gay pride celebrations have a vindictive background, since in many countries of the world homosexuality and non-traditional sexuality are still criminalized, and in many others, although laws protect them, they are not socially accepted.
Respect for sexual diversity vindicates the right of people to live their sexual orientation and gender identity freely, without fear of discrimination or reprisals.
While it is true that there are some groups and associations that denounce the emptying of the claims of these groups and the commercialization of this date, they defend the celebration of a Critical Pride, which defend the rights of people of this large group worldwide.
During the celebration of the International LGBT+ Pride Day, the colorful Gay Pride marches take place, which coincide in the northern hemisphere with the beginning of summer. The main symbol on display is the rainbow-colored flag.
The most important Pride march in Europe is the one in Madrid (MADO), with more than one million attendees each year, which is held in the Chueca neighborhood.
On the American continent, the largest LGBT Pride in the world is the São Paulo LGBT Pride march. Equally important are the marches in Toronto (Canada), San Francisco (USA) and Mexico City (Mexico).
It is common to move the celebrations to the nearest weekend before or after and extend them for a week, at least in the countries where it has become more popular, as is the case of Colombia.