Pride Month is official here, bringing events, marches, parades, festivities and remembrances dedicated to the LGBTQ community to U.S. cities and countries throughout the world.

　　The annual commemoration recognizes those who identify as members of the LGBTQ community, as well as their supporters and allies.

　　Pride Month events typically culminate on June 28, the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City.

　　Though celebrations often mark the occasion, Pride is also a call for greater unity, visibility and equality for the LGBTQ community, as well as being a time to reflect on the history and milestones of the past 50 years.

　　What is the meaning of Pride Month? According to GLAAD, the annual recognition provides “an opportunity for the community to come together, take stock and recognize the advances and setbacks made in the past year. It is also a chance for the community to come together and celebrate in a festive, affirming atmosphere.”

　　To learn more about the month-long recognition, see below for facts on the meaning of Pride Month, the history behind why it's celebrated, the meaning of the rainbow flag, a list of notable 2025 events, as well as important resources and other helpful information.

　　What is Pride Month?

　　From June 1 to June 30, Pride Month spotlights LGBTQ voices and celebrates LGBTQ culture, achievements and activism through a series of organized activities, including film festivals, art exhibits, marches, concerts and other programs throughout the month.

　　Through these efforts, the LGBTQ community and its allies aim to spotlight LGBTQ voices, increase awareness and knowledge on issues of inequality, as well as commemorate the lives lost to violence and the AIDS crisis.

　　Why is Pride Month in June?

　　Pride Month is observed in June to honor the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, a touchstone event in LGBTQ history.

　　In the late 1960s, being openly gay was largely prohibited in most places. New York, in particular, had a rule that the simple presence of someone gay or genderqueer counted as disorderly conduct, effectively outlawing gay bars.

　　On June 28, 1969, patrons of the Stonewall Inn — a popular bar with diverse LGBTQ patrons — stood their ground after police raided the establishment. The resulting clash led to days of riots and protests, known as the Stonewall Uprising.

　　One year later, on the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, thousands of people flooded the streets of Manhattan in the Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day March, regarded as the first gay pride event ever.

　　The Stonewall Inn was named a national monument by President Barack Obama in 2016.NY Daily News via Getty Images

　　How Did Pride Month Begin?

　　Before Pride became a month-long commemoration, it was initially recognized as Gay Pride Day, observed annually on the last Sunday in June.

　　However, as awareness increased, more activities and events were planned spanning the entire month and, eventually, Gay Pride Day evolved into the month-long recognition we now observe as Pride Month.

　　The designation became official in 1999 when President Bill Clinton officially declared June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month, setting aside the month as a time to recognize the LGBTQ community’s achievements and support the community.

　　What is the Symbol of Pride?

　　The rainbow flag is the symbol for LGBTQ pride.Angela Weiss / AFP via Getty ImagesThe rainbow flag is universally recognized as the symbol for LGBTQ pride. It was created by renowned San Francisco activist Gilbert Baker.

　　According to Baker, “the rainbow of humanity" is intended to symbolize all genders and races.

　　Each of the six colors of the rainbow flag represent a different aspect of the LGBTQ movement: life, healing, sunlight, nature, serenity and spirit.

　　In 2017, Philadelphia added a black and brown stripe to their flag to symbolically represent LGBTQ people of color who have often felt marginalized from their own community.

　　Today, many organizations have adopted the flag, with some adding the colors of the transgender pride flag, which are baby blue and light pink.

　　You'll find a full list of LGBTQ flags along with their meanings right here.

　　How Can I Participate in Pride Month 2025?

　　Along with reading LGBTQ-inspired books or posting a meaningful Pride Month quote on Instagram, you can join in any of the nationwide celebrations held throughout the month of June.

　　One of the largest Pride marches occurs in New York City, the birthplace of modern gay rights movement. The NYC Pride parade will take place on Sunday, June 29, this year.

　　The annual event is one of the country's biggest Pride events, drawing nearly 2 million attendees.

　　Here’s a list of some U.S. cities hosting Pride Month events this year:

　　Baltimore: June 9 — 15, 2025

　　Chicago: Pride Fest, June 21 — 22, 2025

　　Denver: June 28 — 29, 2025

　　Detroit: June 7 — 8, 2025

　　Key West, FL: June 22 — 29, 2025

　　Los Angeles: June 8, 2025

　　Nashville: June 27 — 29, 2025

　　New Orleans: June 13 — 15, 2025

　　Philadelphia: June 1, 2025

　　Provincetown, RI: June 6 — 8, 2025

　　San Francisco: June 28 — 29, 2025

　　Seattle: June 29, 2025

　　Other Important Pride Month Dates

　　June 5: HIV Long-Term Survivors Day (HLTSAD), honors and increases visibility around HIV survivor issues and needs

　　June 12: Pulse Remembrance Day, a remembrance of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting victims

　　June 27: National HIV Testing Day, encourages individuals to be tested for HIV

　　June 28: Stonewall Riots Anniversary, commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Uprising

　　June 30: Queer Youth of Faith Day, to celebrate and empower LGBTQ youth of different faiths

　　LGBTQ Pride Month Resources

　　To learn more about Pride Month or find additional ways to get involved, check out the following resources:

　　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.

　　The Equality Federation is a LGBTQ advocacy group working to help advance the rights of LGBTQ people.

　　The National LGBTQ Task Force, an advocacy group dedicated to advancing freedom, justice and equality for LGBTQ people.

　　The Library of Congress, for history on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Pride Month.

　　The Anti-Defamation League, an anti-hate organization dedicated to fighting bias, extremism, discrimination or hate.

　　 The American Civil Liberties Union, works to preserve and defend the rights and liberties of U.S. citizens.

　　Celebrate Pride Today and Everyday

　　Inspirational Pride Month quotes from luminaries

　　A timeline of Pride: 50 defining LGBTQ milestones that shaped history