June has arrived, and with it, a celebration of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer community. Here at Museum of Ice Cream, we are over the moon thrilled to honor love in all its forms. This June, learn about now Pride Month started, how you can support our partner, PFLAG, and learn about our exclusive Love & Sprinkles Martini!

What is Pride Month?

Pride Month is an annual celebration honoring the LGBTQ+ community for their strength and resilience against inequality. We celebrate now for all the times when it wasn’t celebrated and for the trials that many in the past had to face. Pride Month is a time to celebrate love and acceptance, commemorating the difficult journey toward self-acceptance and inspiring others to do the same.

What Does LGBTQ+ Stand For?

For a long time, the LGBTQ+ community was only described as the “gay” community without the differentiations between everyone. In the 80s and 90s the L – for lesbian – was added, which started the acronym LGB. Eventually the T – for transgender – was added in the early 2000s with the Q – for queer – joining in 2016. Now, a + has been added to the acronym to recognize the limitless sexual orientations and gender identities and ensure everyone has a safe place to be themselves. In short, LGBTQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and others within the community.

The Origins of Pride Month

The origins of Pride Month can be traced back to the Stonewall uprisings of 1969, a response to a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village. One evening in June 1969, the NYPD raided the Stonewall Inn, throwing people onto the streets and arresting them for defying the status quo of gender norms and dress codes. The LGBTQ+ community, tired of constant discrimination and harassment, stood up against the injustice, sparking a series of protests and demonstrations. This uprising is widely regarded as the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. The bravery and resilience shown during the Stonewall Rebellion laid the groundwork for the vibrant Pride celebrations we know today.

Who Started Pride Month in the USA?

Exactly one year after the Stonewall Riots, Brenda Howard, also known as the “Mother of Pride,” along with activists Craig Rodwell, Ellen Broidy and Fred Sargeant, organized the first known Pride Week and Pride Parade on June 28, 1970. The event, known as the Christopher Street Liberation Day March, paved the way for similar events in other cities and evolved into the widespread celebration we now know as Pride Month. 

Brenda Howard, a bisexual activist and feminist, played an instrumental role in orchestrating and promoting the first Pride March. Her efforts laid the foundation for an annual tradition that continues to grow in strength and visibility, empowering LGBTQ+ individuals to celebrate their identities proudly. As the joys of Pride Month continued to grow, the federal government finally recognized June as Pride Month in 1999 under President Clinton.

When is Pride Month?

Pride Month is celebrated annually in June, in honor of the Stonewall Riots which took place in June 1969. The entire month is dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and commemorating the value they bring to our society by modeling acceptance, equality and respect for others’ free will. Throughout the month of June, cities across the globe host a variety of events, from colorful parades to educational workshops, all aimed at fostering a sense of community and advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. The month of June serves as a reminder of how far the LGBTQ+ movement has come and how much further it still needs to go to achieve full equality.

What is PFLAG?

PFLAG, which stands for Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, is a national nonprofit organization that provides support, education and advocacy for LGBTQ+ community and their families. Jeanne Manford saw the need for this organization in April 1972 when her son Morty, a gay activist, was beaten for distributing flyers during a political gathering in New York City. 

The following year, Jeanne accompanied her son to the NYC Pride March where she held a sign that read “Parents of Gays Unite in Support for Our Children,” which ended up resonating with more than one parent. Concerned for her son’s safety and recognizing the lack of support and knowledge, Jeanne orchestrated the first formal meeting of parents of gays (now known as PFLAG) with 20 other parents in 1973. Through word of mouth and growing community needs, similar groups began to appear across the country. 

By 1980, the organization had grown to distribute information to educational institutions and communities of faith. Today, PFLAG National supports a network of local PFLAG chapters nationwide with nearly 400 chapters and more than 350,000 members! PFLAG’s mission is to create a world where diversity is celebrated, and all people are respected, valued and affirmed.

Partnering with PFLAG

This Pride Month, Museum of Ice Cream is collaborating with PFLAG National to continue the fight for equality for the LGBTQ+ community.

To help, we’ve created our Love and Sprinkles Martini and $2 from every purchase will go straight to PFLAG National. Shop more of this sweet deal at our Sweet Deals Page. 

Benefits of Supporting PFLAG

Supporting PFLAG means contributing to a world where diversity is celebrated. PFLAG provides essential support, education and advocacy. This makes a tangible difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. PFLAG uses programs like Straight for Equality, Cultivating Respect: Safe Schools For All and more to help educate people on how to help be an ally, educate people about the LGBTQ+ community and share resources with those who are in the LGBT community. 

By partnering with PFLAG, we can help create a more inclusive and loving society.