Leader Sykes Recognizes June as Pride Month

House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) recognizes the month of June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. It all started with the Stonewall Uprising of 1969 where New York City police raided a gay club called the Stonewall Inn. This led to days of protests and served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement. One year later, the first Pride march was held in June to celebrate the legacy of Stonewall and to set the precedent of Pride month for years to come. 

LGBTQ+ individuals continue to face civil rights challenges to this day. In fact, in the state Ohio, it is legal to discriminate against a person’s sexual orientation, gender, or gender expression. Leader Sykes, along with the Ohio House Democratic caucus, have fully supported the Ohio Fairness Act, which would protect LGBTQ+ Ohioans from discrimination in employment, housing and accommodations. This bill now awaits in committee.

“Pride is a celebration of identity, diversity, and history,” said Leader Sykes. “52 years since Stonewall, and we are still in the midst of fighting for basic rights of our LGBTQ+ Americans. Everyone, regardless of sexuality, gender, or gender expression, deserves to live in this state with safety and security and free from discrimination.”

A prominent figure in the Stonewall Uprising was Marsha P. Johnson, a Black Trans Woman, who pioneered the gay rights movement and represented intersectionality in the LGBTQ+ community.

To learn more about Pride Month, click here.

The see Leader Sykes’ PSA for Pride Month, click here.