STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ) — June is just around the corner; which means Pride month is almost here.
Pride month is celebrated by the LGBTQ community and their allies to honor progress in the gay rights movement and being your true, authentic self; while also reflecting on battles fought in the past and persevering through battles fought today.
The first ‘Pride’ was held in June 1970; to remember the Stonewall riots that occurred in June 1969. On June 28, 1969, New York City police raided a gay club called the Stonewall Inn. The Stonewall riots are considered to be what sparked annual Pride month celebrations in June, and were a major push in the gay rights movement.
Open Door Pride in Sturgeon Bay opened in 2017, and is dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ community.
Cathy Grier is the chair of Open Door Pride; she says the transgender community continues to face significant challenges due to the increasing number of U.S. States continuing to pass anti-trans laws.
“These discriminatory, fear-based policies are affecting the health and wellbeing of our society,” said Grier. “A transgender individual is just trying to live as their perfect selves. They’re not trying to perpetrate any kind of abuse.”
In 2019, the Pride flag was flown over the Wisconsin State Capitol for the first time in state history. Governor Tony Evers has continued to officially recognize June as Pride month, as have many other local leaders.
“It’s important that our elected officials are able to say to the community ‘we see you, we hear you, we welcome you, we understand that you are part of our family, too.'” said Grier.
The City of Sturgeon Bay has declared June as Open Door Pride Month. This will be the 7th year of the proclamation. For the first time this year, Sister Bay and Bailey’s Harbor are also giving Open Door Pride proclamations for Pride month.
Open Door Pride supports a Pride flag initiative to give free Pride flags to any business or organization that wants them for the month of June. In the first year of the campaign, they gave out 12 flags. This year, they gave out over 70.
Grier says that aside from showing support for the LGBTQ community, the flags also show people that they are welcoming and accepting of others.
Coming up on June 24 is the 7th Annual Open Door Pride Festival at Martin Park in Sturgeon Bay. The family-friendly event features a DJ, live music, craft/food vendors, a drag show, and more. Click here to learn more about the event.
“This is a place to connect with people; we are all welcoming and inclusive,” said Grier. “By showing the faces of who we are, suddenly we see our commonalities.”
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