In his final year in office, President Bill Clinton declared June “Gay & Lesbian Pride Month” to commemorate the Stonewall riots that took place June 1969 in Manhattan. This was a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations in response to a police raid of the Stonewall Inn, a well-know gay bar in New York City. At the time, Gay Americans faced an anti-gay legal system in which their havens were raided and leaders arrested. The Stonewall riots are widely considered the catalyst of the modern fight for LGBT rights in the United States.
The 1960s were tumultuous time of social upheaval and it’s important to remember those who fought for the civil rights of the LGBT community. In June 2009, President Barack Obama expanded the commemoration further by declaring June “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month.” As our understanding of this community continues to expand, so does the desire for inclusion and connectedness. Just like any marginalized population, those who are LGBT can face mental health issues. Therefore, it is essential for these at-risk individuals find acceptance and understanding with their peers in their community. This is why we commend groups such as the Kaleidoscope Youth Center who work alongside queer youth to create free programming, housing, and support services here in Columbus, and all over the state of Ohio.
The Apportis platform was built for easy integration with groups like KYC, to provide their users and staff with the ability to connect virtually, find localized resources in their community, and a peer to peer interface. So just like how LGBT individuals found a home at the Stonewall Inn in 1969, we hope to provide that community and sense of belonging in the 21st century!
Please use #PRIDE2020 #PrideMonth and #Pride to raise awareness on social media.
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