6/16/2026
I hope everyone who celebrates, demonstrates, protests and simply lives as a radical existence for being part of the LGBTQ+ community has a happy Pride month!
Celebration is an amazingly powerful expression.
Every year I see angry and intolerant messages surrounding the pageantry of Pride parades and festivals. It’s important to remember that Pride began as a demonstration and it continues to be registered as such in many cities around the United States and the world. Pride shouts out that we are here, we exist, and you are not alone. Whether you are queer, gay, lesbian, bi, pan, ace, trans, non-binary, a drag queen, or you simply do not know and are scared to ask; you belong. Not only should you be free to be yourself, you should possess equal rights, protections, and freedoms that others in our society may take for granted.
It’s an act of resistance standing in direct opposition to anger, ignorance, and hate while simultaneously being a message of joy and compassion for those that have ever felt the panic of recognizing that a part of themselves could cost them their families, their friends, their livelihood, and their lives. Visibility is defiance and it does not cost the same for everyone, so it’s an act of bravery. It’s these demonstrations that have shown us what our society is, in all its beautiful colors.
June is not inherently Pride Month. It’s Pride Month because of the grassroots efforts of those that organize these events across the country. Their labor is for all of us. Even those that do not understand. One day we hope there is no need for this labor, but until then, we will continue to stand united, continue learning and being proud of our history, share the contributions of queer people, remember those we lost, and send a loving message to those that suffered or continue to suffer in silence.
Happy Pride!
In solidarity,
Odalis Hernandez
UUP West Campus
Diversity Officer