June is Pride Month: 2021 LGBTQ events, parades and more
James Martin/CNET
This month, June, marks the 51st celebration of Pride Month -- a time when millions of people come together in support of the LGBTQ community by walking in parades and attending festivals. This year, many celebrations across the globe will resume as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and more people are vaccinated.
So why does Pride Month take place in June? It goes back to June 28, 1969, when police raided a gay club called the Stonewall Inn in New York. Though the police claimed the bar was operating with an improper liquor license, the raid was about nothing more than violently harassing and arresting LGBTQ people in one of the few places where they felt safe. Similar raids on gay-friendly businesses had been occurring for decades, but Stonewall was one of the first times when the patrons fought back. A diverse crowd of lesbians, gay men and transgender women, many of whom were people of color, clashed with the police, threw bottles and refused to be intimidated. The six-day period of protests and demonstrations is now known as the Stonewall Riots. A New York rally held the next year to commemorate the first anniversary of the riots started the now-regular tradition of Pride Month.
Below, we've suggested ways you can get involved, what you can watch and read, and other ways to celebrate the LGBTQ community.
Attend a Pride parade or festival
This year, some Pride Month festivities will resume in person, depending on where you live. However, many have been postponed until later this year or next due to the coronavirus. If you can't find a parade in your area (you can search "Pride parade Chicago," for instance), see if there are other events you can attend.
San Francisco, for example, will not have a parade, but will have a Pride movie night with face masks and social distancing required. Los Angeles will have two outdoor Pride events.
Atlanta Pride Run is also happening this year in person. The run is for generating LGBTQ awareness in the community. You can also participate in this event virtually -- see below.
You can also find Pride events for different parts of the LGBTQ community including women, transgender people and people of color.
Support Pride organizations by donating
Can't make it to any events but would like to support the LGBTQ community? You can do so by donating to Pride organizations. The International LGBTQ Travel Association organization helps provide marketing support to LGBTQ businesses.
What to watch for Pride Month -- and where
Netflix has a genre page for Pride Month, including movies, TV shows, documentaries, GLAAD award nominees and more. New seasons of Feel Good and Elite will also be available in June, Netflix told CNET.
Amazon Prime Video also has a landing page to honor Pride Month. The collection Live Out Loud celebrates and highlights LGBTQ creators, actors, producers, writers and filmmakers.
Hulu has a designated page for Pride Month, as well. A popular option is the documentary, Pride.
CNET editors also have recommendations for LGBTQ movies and shows to watch in June -- or any other time. Some of these include The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson, Portrait of a Lady on Fire and Moonlight.
What to read during Pride Month
Here's what CNET editors recommend adding to your reading list this summer.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Less by Andrew Sean Greer
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
Rainbow Boy by Taylor Rouanzion
Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Punch Me Up to the Gods: A Memoir by Brian Broome
Reach out to your company's diversity and inclusion groups
If you'd like to get involved for Pride Month at work, you can contact your company's diversity and inclusion groups to see how you can help. You could help coordinate a virtual event where you play trivia games and decorate your Zoom background with a Pride flag. If your company doesn't have any Pride events scheduled, consider organizing one yourself.
How to show your support from home
There are plenty of ways to show your support from home. We've listed several to get you started.
Hang a Pride flag outside your home.
Place a Pride sticker on your car.
Host your own Pride-themed movie night.
Wear some Pride clothing.
Join virtual events.
Be an ally to your LGBTQ colleagues, friends and family members.
Support LGBTQ organizations in schools.
Support businesses that support the LGBTQ community.
Celebrate virtually
If there's not a Pride event happening near you, don't fret. There are plenty of ways to celebrate virtually, and even watch Pride parades and events happening around the world. You can also participate in events virtually -- for instance, the Atlanta Pride Run has a virtual option you can sign up for and run anywhere you want (plus, it comes with a shirt).