Pride Month

The month of June represents Pride Month when we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and the fight for equal rights.

Pride Month commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Inn uprising in New York City when police raided the gay club.  Among the many leaders of the riots was a Black, trans, bisexual woman, Marsha P Johnson, who led the movement which continued over the following six days.  The goal of the protests was simple:  the establishment of places where LGBTQ+ people could go and be open about their sexual orientation without fear of being arrested.

Bill Clinton was the first US President to officially recognize Pride Month in 1999.  Today, Pride Month symbolizes an opportunity for visibility and highlights important policy and resource issues the LGBTQ+ community faces.  These efforts are just as important today as they were back in the early days due to the escalating violence against the community – in particular the transgender community.  Additionally, in 2023, LGBTQ+ organizations are battling more than 650 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced throughout the country.

Education

Learn more about Pride by connecting with the following organizations:

  • GLAAD, a non-government agency founded to promote LGBTQ acceptance along with identifying and preventing discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals.
  • GLSEN, a network of students, families and education advocates working to facilitate LGBTQ safety and support in schools.
  • Human Rights Campaign, strives to end discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. (https://www.hrc.org)
  • Out & Equal, an organization formed to combat harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

Employee Spotlight

Natalie Brock | Category Manager – Softball, BSN SPORTS

Ways to Celebrate Pride Month

  • Attend one of the many Pride parades throughout the country
  • Be an ally to the LBTQ+ community
  • Go see a LGBTQ+ themed show or movie
  • Visit an art gallery exhibiting LGBTQ+ art

Varsity Brands Pride Month Designs

In honor of Pride Month, Varsity Brands team members can show their support by purchasing Pride-themed apparel. Pride-themed designs are available through the Varsity Brands Company Sideline Store by selecting “Choose Your Design” on the store’s home page or “Other Designs Available” on select apparel and merchandise items.

Shop Varsity Brands Pride

LGBTQ+ Trailblazers:

Barbara Gittings

In the 50s, Gittings founded the New York chapter of the Daughters of Bilitis, the first national organization for lesbians. The DOB provided support and education to lesbians who were afraid to come out, providing education and resources around their rights. The organization also worked with psychologists, sociologists, and other mental health professionals to conduct clinical research to debunk stereotypes that being gay was synonymous with being mentally ill. 

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Audre Lorde

A prominent poet and writer, Lorde was a member of the LGBTQ right movements.  A Black lesbian, Lorde’s work touches on social and racial justice issues as well as what it means to be queer, queer sexuality and the queer experience.

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Frank Mugisha

One of the few out gay LGBTQ+ activists in Uganda, a country that as recently as 2013 still criminalizes homosexuality.  His efforts helped overturn the law and he continues to work for LGBTQ+ equality.

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Larry Kramer

A writer and outspoken AIDS activist, Kramer founded the Gay Men’s Health Crisis in 1981, the first ever organization serving HIV-positive people.

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Christine Jorgensen

A transgender pop culture icon, Jorgensen became a celebrity because of her gender affirming surgery in the later 1950s. Jorgensen, who served in the US Army, used her celebrity to advocate for the acceptance of transgender people.

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