JUNE: Gay and Lesbian Pride Month

by: Scott McAbee
In recent years, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals did not have a specific month during which to celebrate and commemorate Pride Days in the United States . On June 11, 1999 President Clinton issued a proclamation designating June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month. In the spirit of honoring equality and freedom, the president said, "I encourage all Americans to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that celebrate our diversity, and to remember throughout the year the gay and lesbian Americans whose many and varied contributions have enriched our national life." The most significant June event in LGBT history was the Stonewall Inn Rebellion, a three-day protest in 1969 in New York City 's Greenwich Village during which patrons protested against unfair police discrimination and harassment. It marked the first time the gay community joined together to fight for its civil rights, earning national attention and gaining a foothold in the struggle for equality. This month is dedicated to appreciating the contributions and significance of the LGBT community, and applauding gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, and transgender pride.

The rainbow flag, the main symbol of the LGBT movement.

Homosexuality is a sexual orientation and it is defined as romantic attraction and/or sexual interaction between individuals of the same sex. In modern use, the adjective homosexual is used for intimate relationships and/or sexual relations between people of the same sex, who may or may not identify themselves as gay or lesbian. Homosexuality, as an identifier, is usually contrasted with heterosexuality and bisexuality. The term gay is used predominantly to refer to self-identified homosexual people of either sex. Lesbian is a gender-specific term that is only used for self-identified homosexual females.

"live your life in amanner that best suits you. Whether you are in or out of the closet is not really that important anymore. What is important is you have accepted who you really are and try to live a decent life in which you dont intentionally step on other people's feet in order to reach you goals and personal happiness. Because in the end, a person will not be really remembered for being a gay or straight but by the way he lived his life and the positive influence it had on people."

H A P P Y P R I D E M O N T H !!!