Pride Month 2024 🏳‍🌈

What is Pride Month?

Pride Month is a month dedicated to the uplifting and empowerment of LGBTQ+ voices, celebration of LGBTQ+ culture, as well as the support of LGBTQ+ rights. Throughout June, a number of events take place nationwide. These traditionally include parades, performances, and protests. These events are not only an opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community to show pride in their sexual orientation or gender identity, but an occasion to get involved with demonstrations that fight for legal rights such as same-sex marriage, as well as complete protection from conversion therapy.

Not only does Pride Month serve as an opportunity to raise awareness about LGBTQ+ history, it also gives the opportunity to educate the public on LGBTQ+ topics and issues.

The History of Pride Month

On the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, the first Pride marches took place in New York on June 28^th, 1970. On that day people gathered to commemorate Stonewall and to demonstrate for equal rights. Since then, parades and protests have been continuing to fight for visibility, liberation, and equality. In the UK, particularly up until 2003 with the repeal of Section 28, Pride had always had more of a protest feel than a parade.

The meaning behind Pride Month still remains the same. It’s a time for people within the community, and their allies, to celebrate everything LGBTQ+, it’s also a time for reflection. Everyone has different experiences to reflect on and for the LGBTQ+ community, history plays an important part in forming the current story and reminding us that although a lot of progress has been made, there is still lots more work to be done. In essence, Pride Month symbolises both celebration and a persistent call to action for LGBTQ+ rights. While there has been advancement, oppressive laws in 64 UN member states and the death penalty in certain countries underscore the ongoing global struggle for equality. Pride serves as a beacon of hope, urging continued advocacy for a world where everyone can live authentically and free from discrimination.

Pride at Exacta

Here at Exacta Technologies, we recognise the significance of standing in unity with the LGBTQ+ community. In honour of Pride Month, we have changed our LinkedIn banner for the month of June to express our solidarity. However, we acknowledge that our support for the LGBTQ+ community should extend beyond just one month each year; it should be an ongoing commitment. At Exacta, we are dedicated to growing a diverse and inclusive workplace. We strive to create a professional work environment where every employee, regardless of gender or sexuality, feels valued and safe.

Please click the links below to learn more about local events in Bristol and charities that create change:

Bristol Pride - Bristol’s main Pride event and parade. Bristol Pride work all year round to challenge homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and promote equality and diversity for all.

Freedom - Freedom is a gender and sexuality social action project from Off the Record Bristol & South Glos.

Galop - Galop are a LGBTQ+ anti-abuse charity, providing support to LGBTQ+ people who have experienced abuse and violence.

Intercom Trust - Intercom Trust provide support to LGBTQ+ people across the Southwest of England.