Why Is Pride Month Important?

It is because equality does not yet exist that Pride month is crucial. 

𝒷𝓎 Kelly Graham, MSW, RSW

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June is celebrated as pride month for the 2SLGBTIQ+ community. It is a reminder to take a stand against discrimination and to fight for equal rights for everyone. It is celebrated in June to remember the Stonewall riot that occurred following a police raid on an 2SLGBTIQ+ bar in Manhattan, on June 28, 1969. Since then, pride has expanded and is celebrated in many parts of the world.

2SLGBTIQ+ rights continue to vary around the world. There are still many countries where homosexuality is illegal. Most severely, being homosexual, bisexual, or transgender in some of these countries means that you can be punished by death. While Canada is more progressive in 2SLGBTIQ+ rights, there is still work to be done. It wasn’t until 1969 that Canada decriminalized homosexuality, and 2005 that homosexual couples were legally allowed to marry. What's more, the federal government in May 2019 refused to ban conversion therapy (the practice of trying to change an individual's sexual orientation to heterosexual using psychological or spiritual interventions), saying it was up to each province and territory, where some still allow it. 2SLGBTIQ+ people also face other forms of institutional discrimination, such as limitations or bans on donating sperm or blood, adopting children, and more. 

The 2SLGBTIQ+ community also faces discrimination from other people - not just the government or legislation. Identifying as a member of this community puts a person at higher risk for verbal, psychological, and physical abuse. While it is illegal, many individuals still face discrimination in school, workplaces, healthcare, and housing. All of this can have adverse consequences for 2SLGBTIQ+ individuals, such as:

• More likely to have depression, anxiety, self-harming behaviours, or suicidality
  • 77 % of transgender people said they had seriously considered suicide
  • 45% of transgender people had attempted
  • Double the risk for post-traumatic stress disorder
• More likely to abuse substances to cope with the above
  • LGBTQ youth are 14 times more likely to abuse substances
• More likely to be homeless
  • 40% of homeless youth identify as 2SLGBTIQ+
• Double the risk for post-traumatic stress disorder

It doesn’t matter who you love or what gender you identify with (if any), we are all people. Because we are all people, we should all be granted equal rights and not have to face discrimination for who we are. It is because equality does not yet exist that Pride month is crucial. Don’t complain that there is no “straight or cis-gender” month, because if you are straight or cis-gender, you do not face discrimination based on who you love and how you identify. Pride month is a time for celebration, but also to bring awareness to the discrimination that the 2SLGBTIQ+ community faces every single day.

Visit our article "How to be an 2SLGBTIQ+ Ally and Help Make the World a Friendlier Place (from One Ally’s Perspective)" to explore the impact we can make on others, and to learn how to support our friends, family, colleagues, employees and fellow human beings as allies.

Statistics from:

• Simpson, L. (2018). Violent victimization of lesbians, gays and bisexuals in Canada, 2014. Statistics Canada. Retrieved from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2018001/article/54923-eng.htm.
• Canadian Mental Health Association. (n.d.). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Queer identified People and Mental Health. Canadian Mental Health Association. Retrieved from https://ontario.cmha.ca/documents/lesbian-gay-bisexual-trans-queer-identified-people-and-mental-health/.