Many of the early Pride leaders were people of color and transgender or gender-nonconforming activists whose identities were criminalized and faced disproportionate violence. Like the protests that occurred in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder, Pride stemmed from protests about police violence. June became Pride month to commemorate the Stonewall riots in New York City in June 1969.
While we wait to gather as a community, we're encouraging our employees and others to focus on things they can do every day to help everyone feel accepted, welcome, and safe. We're talking more than usual about the origins of Pride. We're gathering for video chats instead of parades.
