June Is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month

Happy Pride Month! Celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community and recognizing LGBTQIA+ rights is always important. Be proud of who you were born to be!

The Acronym

Every letter of the LGBTQ or LGBTQIA+ community acronym has a meaning:

• Lesbian. This term refers to a woman who is romantically attracted to other women.

• Gay. This term refers to a man who is romantically attracted to other men. 
• Bisexual. This term refers to a person who is romantically attracted to more than one gender. For example, a bisexual person can be attracted to both men and women or another gender identity. 
• Transgender. This term refers to a person who identifies with a different gender than the one they were assigned at birth. A transgender person’s gender identity may include their behaviors, appearance, and sexual orientation. 
• Queer or questioning, although most of the time, Q means queer. Queer is a bit of an umbrella term. This term typically means not straight and often not cisgender. (Cisgender refers to someone who identifies with the gender they were assigned at birth as well as those gender roles). A person who is questioning is still learning how to identify themselves and how they feel. 
• Intersex. The term intersex refers to a person born with the biological traits of more than one gender. For example, a person could be born with both male and female genitalia, or the hormones naturally released during puberty do not match the genitalia they were born with. 
• Asexual or ally. The term asexual refers to a person who does not feel any sexual desire or experiences very low levels of sexual desire. Some people who are asexual do have romantic relationships, and some do not. 

An ally is a person who is an ally (or friend) to the LGBTQIA+ community. An ally offers support and believes in the rights of LGBTQIA+ people. 

• + – The plus symbol represents when the terms and identities that people find true in themselves are changing, multiple, or still unsure. There are many terms and identities expressed in this prideful community, and that’s a great thing! 

Two other letters that are rare but sometimes expressed are P and D. P stands for pansexual, a term that refers to a person who is romantically attracted to anyone regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Pansexual is often described as a person loving another for who they are despite what they are. D stands for demisexual. Demisexual means that a person can only give or receive romantic love when there is a strong emotional bond with the other person. 

History of Pride Month

According to the Library of Congress, Pride once was celebrated just one day each year: the last Sunday of June. Today, the Pride Festival is held in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising began the evening of June 28, 1969. New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a known gay club, with the intent of arresting those inside for their sexual orientation and beliefs. New York City was known for performing raids on gay clubs, and many were arrested or removed from the clubs for “disorderly conduct.” Kissing or dancing with someone of the same sex was illegal in New York City at the time, prompting the police to escort them out. 

On the night of the Stonewall Uprising, the clash between police and those present at the club was brutal, with police beating and berating attendees and arresting many of them. The protesting and fights with the police that ensued that night were the catalyst for the United States Gay Liberation Movement to end police harassment and social discrimination. Before the Stonewall Uprising, the LGBTQIA+ community had been fighting for their rights all over the United States, most notably in larger cities like San Francisco. 

Through the years, June became the month dedicated to Pride and LGBTQIA+ rights. But rather than just celebrating on one important day, many communities have week-long or month-long celebrations, parades, workshops, parties, and more. Pride Month is a time to celebrate LGBTQIA+ rights and honor those who fought and lost it all for those rights. There are also memorials to honor historical figures in the community and those who passed during the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Celebrating Sober Pride

If you’re someone who is looking forward to this year’s Pride festivities but struggles with alcohol or substance abuse, that’s okay! You can celebrate Pride proudly and effectively without alcohol or other substances. Have a sober buddy, set boundaries for yourself, remember who you are sober, and enjoy every moment of Pride.

The LGBTQIA+ community is vital and important to celebrate, although many Pride celebrations include the use of alcohol or other substances. As you celebrate, keep in mind that alcohol and substance abuse should not be your source of fun. Try to avoid self-medicating or overindulging as you process and honor those who struggled before you for LGBTQIA+ rights. At RECO Intensive, we welcome all members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and we understand that inclusivity and Pride celebration is important. We want to make sure that you are safe as you celebrate Pride. So if you need help doing so, we are here for you. RECO Intensive offers treatment for alcohol or substance use and many types of therapies to help you become your best self. Our professional staff and experienced alumni want to help you reach your sober goals as you celebrate Pride. Call RECO Intensive today at (561) 464-6533. Let’s get back to a brighter future.