By Mariya Kooran
As pride month approaches, it serves as a reminder of the blood, sweat and tears that pushed for the movement that helped people embrace their true identities. Pride month is a period of time to commemorate the efforts of the LGBTQ+ community for equality, to remember the individuals of the community that passed away due to HIV/AIDS and hate crimes, and to shed light on the importance of the LGBTQ+ community in society.
The month also marks the day of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, which were a series of protests that stood against the anti-LGBTQ+ raids that took place in Manhattan.
Furthermore, the banner that represents the pride movement is a rainbow flag designed by Gilbert Baker, an openly gay artist and drag queen. The flag serves as a symbol of hope because it represents a beautiful rainbow appearing after a rainstorm.
Throughout the month of June, people of the LGBTQ+ community come together and celebrate their identities by attending parades, spreading awareness about hate crimes against the community, donating to supportive organizations, and participating in many other activities. A massive parade also takes place in New York City which represents the joy of embracing one’s identity.
“The month of June serves as a symbol of the progression of the acceptance of members of the LGBTQ+ community in society...”
Hollywood has helped spearhead the movement to fight injustice against the LGBTQ+ community by increasing diversity in movies. Celebrities like Anderson Cooper, Sarah Paulson, RuPaul Charles, Frank Ocean, and Harry Styles have helped normalize different LGBTQ+ identities in the media. Businesses, such as Converse and Shake Shack, have also supported the community by creating pride themed clothing or menu items. A percentage of these proceeds go towards various charities that support the LGBTQ+ community, such as the Trevor Project and the It Gets Better Project.
Source by Ms. Mary Kay Mannle
Shake Shack adds a Pride Shake to their menu and donates 5% of the sales to the Trevor Project.
A multitude of Instagram accounts was made to provide representation to the LGBTQ+ youth seeking acceptance in society. Shows such as “Queer Eye” help people transform their lives while representing those who are afraid to come out. Movies such as “Call Me By Your Name” also include the struggles of the LGBTQ+ community and raise awareness by including actors with larger fan bases.
As teenagers in the 21st century, the student population of New Hyde Park Memorial has been exposed to this change through social media. On Instagram, many students have started including their pronouns in their profiles to make the LGBTQ+ youth feel more comfortable and accepted.
Source by Saffah Azeem The month of June commemorates pride month, where members of the LGBTQ+ community celebrate their true identities.
“I think that Instagram creating a feature to add pronouns is really great and raises an incredible amount of awareness to a topic that many people really haven’t talked about in the past. I think this additional feature will signify to others why choosing an individual’s own pronouns will result in an identity growth and that it’s important to respect,” said senior Evita George.
Platforms like Instagram and Snapchat have also added filters with symbols of the LGBTQ+ flag and colors. In addition to the use of pronouns in social media, pronouns have been used in professional settings. For example, in Zoom meetings, students introduce themselves with their names and their pronouns.
“I have seen people including their pronouns on their Instagram biographies, platforms such as Zoom, and in professional settings,” said junior Elisa George.
The month of June serves as a symbol of the progression of the acceptance of members of the LGBTQ+ community in society. Pride month reminds students at New Hyde Park Memorial that it is important to treat everyone with respect and love in order to create a harmonious and comfortable environment.