Today, June 28th, marks the 52nd anniversary of the Stonewall Inn Riots which is often credited as the start of Pride. On the one-year anniversary of the riots on June 28, 1970, thousands of people marched in the streets of Manhattan from the Stonewall Inn to Central Park in what was has been credited as America’s first gay pride parade.

Since then, Pride has become celebrated throughout the month of June. Pride Month is an entire month dedicated to uplifting the voices of the LGBTQ community, celebrating the LGBTQ community, and advocating for LGBTQ rights. Throughout the month of June, nationwide and worldwide, there are parades, protests, drag performances, live theater and memorials and celebrations of life for members of the community who lost their lives to HIV/AIDS.

This month we asked the Honey Play Box community "What Does Pride Mean to You?"

This is what you said:

What Does Pride Mean to You?

Evan, he/him

“Pride means being allowed to be my true self, embrace what doesn't 'fit in' with the cis-normative and heteronormative society, and act however I want without being afraid of being perceived a certain way by this society. Pride is the release of all that fear and shame bottled up, and finally letting myself live how I am supposed to."

Dexter, they/them/theirs

"Pride to me is living unapologetically. Being true to who you are even if it changes day to day. Being proud of the progress that you’ve made."

Casey, they/xe/he

"pride means love. pride means not being ashamed of who i am. pride means accepting the history of my community” 

Lee, they/them

“Learning about & honoring my queer ancestors, taking care of my body (especially in pleasure), gathering in community for acts of radical joy!!” 

Ash, she/they

“Pride is about a few things. For one, it means honoring the elders that paved the way for a world that fights to eradicate our community. It’s about proudly taking up space, just as we are, and coming together over our struggles. It’s about community, family, and uplifting one another.” 

Lumi, he/she/they

“It means celebrating the history and the people who came before me so that I am able to not be afraid to come out (for the most part, to most people)” 

Savannah, she/her

“Pride means having a community that you can relate to. It means having a support system to help you be you're truest self. Pride isn't just rainbows, and celebrating for a month, pride is about self-love and understanding what makes us, well us."

Julia, she/her

“Pride to me means being okay with who you are in the present moment, and being gentle with your past and excited for your future

It’s literally taking pride in the journey and strides you’ve made to find out who you are; sometimes a perilous and difficult journey, or one filled with friends, laughter and support. But always as a reminder of how far you’ve come, where you are right now and where you may go in the future!”

Autumn, she/her they/them

“It means being my truest self at all times. Not hiding in the shadows. I want to be loud and be heard. I spent the entirety of my life being quiet, cutting myself down so fit into other people's cookie-cutter lifestyles. It’s time I let myself grow. I’m proud of who I am, and who I’m becoming. I’m proud to love who I love. I’m proud to be me 💗💛💙”