What is Global Pride Day?
Today is Global Pride Day! Watch our latest video to learn about its history and its significance for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Till now we have released 2 videos about what the LGBTQIA+ stands for and how the community had to struggle to fight for its rights. You can watch those videos here and learn more!
What is the Meaning of LGBTQIA+? : https://ish.news/wb-22-06-2021_1
Stonewall Riots & Emergence of Pride Month : https://ish.news/wb-24-06-2021_1
Today is Global Pride Day! It is celebrated every year on June 28. Colourful parades, concerts, and marches are held across the world to celebrate this day. However, since countries are still fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the celebration will take place virtually. In some places the Pride parades will take place but under heavy restrictions. On Pride day, LGBTQ community and other groups all over the world, take part in parades and advocate for the right to get married, to start families, adopt children, fight discrimination, buy a house, etc.
The Stonewall Inn in New York where the Stonewall riots took place, is still open and doing business. On 23rd June 2021, owners of the bar and activists poured Bottles of Budweiser, Stella Artois and Michelob ULTRA down the drain. This is because the companies had made donations to leaders who were supporting anti-LGBTQIA+ laws. The owners of the bar said that they would not serve beer from these companies in their bars as a form of protest. Like this the community has constantly been advocating for their rights.
Because of the Pride Parades through the years, there is increased awareness, more people are comfortable about their sexuality, and have come out to their parents and families. Families too have become more accepting, however, this is not the case with all families. Some families still look at it with disgust and shame. However, being Lesbian, Gay, or any other sexuality is nothing shameful. It is as normal as being straight.
Looking at employment, more and more companies and organisations are having awareness programmes, in order to sensitise their staff about the lgbtq+ community. However, there is no concrete step taken to make members of the community comfortable. For example, if a person complains that other office staff are mocking him or her, because of his or her sexuality, there is no proper mechanism followed to stop such harassment. There is also the need to sensitise the government machinery and agencies, so that they are more aware. For example, training the police force to deal with the matters of the lgbtq community in a respectful and dignified manner, and not mocking them for coming and complaining to the police.
There is also a need to teach the children from the time they are small. For example, having a few chapters on the lgbtq+ community included in the school syllabus, having workshops for the children etc. The LGBTQIA+ community has been demanding governments across the world to make changes in laws, to provide adequate rights to the members of this community. Several countries around the world, have accepted homosexual marriage, and has also given them rights against discrimination etc. We hope that such positive changes will be seen soon, in India too.
