Celebrating Pride Month: LGBTQIA+ and Climate Justice
By Donzhei Green, Intern Program Coordinator, 100 Women Pathway
Rainbow colored sand. © Alexander Grey via Unsplash.
The Month of June is Pride Month, celebrating and embracing the beautiful diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community.
At Planet Women, we’re thrilled to honor and uplift our LGBTQIA+ community by reflecting on the origins of this month, the ongoing journey toward equality, and standing in solidarity with those who continue to fight for their rights.
Pride Month’s origins trace back to the Stonewall Riots of late June 1969, a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights. These riots erupted in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, NYC, where many establishments were unwelcoming to LGBTQIA+ people, and national laws were oppressive towards homosexuality. Following a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar, residents and patrons defended themselves against police aggression and protested anti-homosexual laws and discriminatory practices. This sparked a wave of activism, organization, and empowerment within the LGBTQIA+ community, marking a turning point for the Gay Liberation Movement. The Stonewall Riots are thus recognized as a landmark event, which is why June is celebrated as Pride Month.
A year after the Stonewall Riots, on June 28, 1970, the first Pride marches took place in major cities including New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Pride marches, also known as Pride parades or events, are annual celebrations held worldwide to honor and affirm the LGBTQIA+ community. Memorials are also held to honor those lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. These events typically take place during Pride Month (June in many countries), commemorating the Stonewall Riots of 1969 and other significant moments in LGBTQIA+ history, bringing millions of people together around the world.
History continues to be made
Archival documents, such as those of Lili Vincenz and Frank Kameny found in the Library of Congress Manuscript Division, vividly capture the determination and spirit behind these early Pride events. They provide detailed information on why activists and supporters felt strongly about planning the inaugural Pride march and highlight the importance of continuing them. The planning documents, correspondence, flyers, and other materials from these pioneering marches are preserved.
Since the first Pride marches, significant strides have been made in advancing LGBTQIA+ rights. These achievements include the formation of numerous advocacy organizations, the legalization of same-sex marriage in several countries, the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in the United States military, and the implementation of gender identity protections in legislation worldwide. Schools, businesses, and corporations have increasingly integrated protections for and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ individuals into policies and practices.
Other notable milestones include the establishment of the Stonewall National Monument in 2016 and the official recognition of Pride Month by Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Pride Month has been celebrated annually as a national observance, honoring the ongoing fight for equality and celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community's resilience and contributions.
At Planet Women, we passionately advocate for gender equity, leadership diversity, and environmental justice. We work to ensure that every individual, inclusive of their identity, has equitable access to clean and sustainable environments. Planet Women occupies a unique niche at the intersection of environmental justice, diverse leadership, and gender equity.
Pride rainbow flag with a lavender plant. © Moa Kiraly via Unsplash.
LGBTQIA+ and Climate Change
LGBTQIA+ populations often bear a disproportionate burden during climate change-induced natural disasters, leading to increased rates of displacement and homelessness. This burden is exacerbated by inadequate support in shelters. Studies such as those from the Williams Institute highlight the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals during disasters. Insights from the National LGBTQ Task Force also reveal the vulnerabilities of LGBTQIA+ communities in emergencies. Additionally, an article from The Guardian discusses how climate change impacts marginalized communities, including LGBTQIA+ individuals.
The Center for American Progress further explores how environmental and climate injustice affects the LGBTQIA+ community. Research from the University of California, Irvine also highlights the amplified harm and disaster displacement among LGBTQIA+ people of color. Furthermore, findings from the National Center for Biotechnology Information reveal that LGBTQIA+ individuals face significant mental health challenges during and after disasters, often due to systemic discrimination and the lack of culturally competent support in relief efforts.
Organizations to check out and support
Bringing awareness to organizations such as Out for Sustainability (OUT4S) exemplifies this intersectionality and importance. OUT4S promotes climate resilience and equity within LGBTQ2S+ communities. They advocate for inclusive representation and visibility in climate advocacy, empowering grassroots initiatives and fostering community engagement. Additionally, they support vital programs addressing food security, energy access, and water sustainability, while advocating for climate reparations and land sovereignty.
Queer Nature focuses on reconnecting LGBTQIA+, Two-Spirit, and non-binary individuals with nature through educational programs and advocacy. By fostering ecological awareness and place-based skills, Queer Nature empowers participants to reclaim their roles in environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts.
As we celebrate Pride Month, let's continue to honor its legacy by actively supporting local LGBTQIA+ organizations, participating in Pride events, amplifying the actions and voices of LGBTQIA+ individuals on our platforms, and advocating for inclusive policies in our workplaces and communities. These actions contribute to a more equitable and inclusive world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
About LGBTQIA+
Furthermore, as we celebrate the diverse identities within our community, it's essential to recognize the evolving scope of LGBTQIA+. Each letter and symbol represents unique experiences and identities that enrich our collective understanding of diversity and inclusion.
Lesbian: The female-identifying person who is attracted to another female-identifying person.
Gay: The male-identifying person who is attracted to another male-identifying person.
Bisexual: Someone who is attracted to multiple genders.
Transgender: Someone whose gender identity/ expression does not conform to the sex they were assigned at birth. Because this is related to gender and not sexuality, transgender people may identify as other LGBTQIA terms.
Queer OR Questioning: An umbrella term in the community for those who do not wish to use labels. Originating as a slur, this term has been reclaimed by the LGBTQIA+ community as a term for those who are not sure about how they identify. Queer does not refer to anyone straight or cisgender.
Intersex: People who naturally have biological traits that do not match what is typically identified as male or female.
Asexual/ Aromatic OR Ally: Asexual is an umbrella term, for those who do not experience attraction to others. Ally encompasses those who identify as cisgender and straight and support the LGBTQIA+ community.
“+": An inclusive symbol that acknowledges additional identities beyond those explicitly listed in the acronym. It signifies a commitment to recognizing and respecting the diversity of sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions that may not be covered by the specific letters of LGBTQIA.
Explore Further
Visit The Trevor Project's website: The Trevor Project
Learn more about The Center (LGBT Community Center) and its resources: The Center
Discover more about the Human Rights Campaign: Human Rights Campaign
Donzhei Green is an Intern Program Coordinator at Planet Women, where she assists with all the programmatic elements of the 100 Women Pathway, a women’s leadership program focused on promoting women and women of color talent in environmental leadership roles. See Donzhei’s bio.