Every year during the month of June (aka Pride month), the LGBTQIA+ community across the world celebrates with events held to recognise the influence LGBTQIA+ people have had around the globe as well as to peacefully protest and raise political awareness of current issues being faced.
This is not to be confused with LGBTQIA+ History Month in February which is an annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements.
Pride events and parades are a vital platform for all members of the LGBTQIA+ communities to express themselves creatively and celebrate their identity. Pride month is also an opportunity to raise awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues and advocate for the freedoms that will enable everyone to live their lives on equal footing.
The history of Pride month
June was chosen for Pride month as this was when the instrumental Stonewall Riots took place, back in 1969 on June 28. The riots occurred following a raid at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. The bar was considered a haven for the city’s LGBTQIA+ community and at the time, bars and restaurants could get shut down for having gay employees or serving gay customers.
While police raids on similar establishments were sadly very common, the Stonewall Inn raid sparked an uprising and the community decided to fight back, launching an era of resistance and revolution.
The first LGBTQIA+ Pride event in the USA, the Liberation Day March, was coordinated by Brenda Howard, who became known as the 'Mother of Pride.' This then developed into the annual celebrations in June.
Pride in the UK
The popular Pride in London parade will be held on Saturday 29 July 2024. From Hyde Park Corner to Whitehall Place, over 500 groups and 30,000+ participants will march in the iconic Pride in London Parade.
You can take part as a group, an individual or volunteer to be a flag bearer or steward.
Pride in London is a non-profit organisation, with surplus funds generated reinvested back into the LGBT+ community, to support initiatives and campaigns that aim to promote greater inclusivity and acceptance.
Local Pride events
Typical Pride events include parades, marches poetry readings, public speaking, educational sessions and more. And in fact, they actually go on way beyond June, with many lasting throughout the summer.
While London is certainly one of the most popular events in the UK, many locations such as Cornwall, Durham, Bristol and more all hold their own events.
Best Pride gifts
Why not celebrate with the best gifts for Pride month and beyond? Here are some of our favourites:
Tested
Best for a Pride party
Yours.co.ukwww.lolascupcakes.co.uk
Whether you're throwing a Pride party or attending an event, these delicious cupcakes will make a delectable dessert! Plus, with each purchase, Lola's Cupcakes are donating 5% of the profit to the LGBTQ+ helpline, Switchboard.
There's a mixture of vanilla and chocolate sponges. We love the bright colours and vibrant sprinkles and icing, plus the addition of rainbow sweets really is the cherry on top of the cake!
Best for Pride face paint
AmazonHeading to Pride this summer? Use the Generique Rainbow FanBrush to create some fun face paint designs. It'll look brilliant and make for some fantastic selfies!
Each stick has approximately 100 applications. You can wash it away with soap or water, plus it's compact enough to slot into your pocket or handbag whenever you need to reapply it.
Emily Gilbert is a Features and Review Editor for Mother&Baby and Yours and has written for the website and previously the magazine for six years. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new product releases.