This month, the U.S. Embassy celebrates Pride Month to honor Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) communities and their contributions to making the United States a more perfect union. June marks the anniversary of the June 28, 1969 Stonewall Riots, a turning point in the gay rights movement in the United States, during which members of the LGBTQI+ community protested against the police harassment and persecution to which LGBTQI+ Americans were commonly subjected.
Since that time, the United States has made progress in striking down many discriminatory laws and practices against LGBTQI+ Americans. Today, members of the LGBTQI+ community proudly serve in our military, government, and all aspects of our private sector and civil society. Over the past decades, celebrations of Pride Month have attracted millions of participants around the world. During this month, memorials are also held for members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of Pride Month is to recognize the impact that LGBTQI+ individuals have had on our communities locally, nationally, and internationally.
Throughout June, U.S. Embassy will mark Pride Month within our community to express our pride in and support for LGBTQI+ Americans, while recognizing the challenges many of its members continue to face. The United States celebrates the diversity of our society and its blending of backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, origins, and sexual orientation. It is this diversity that makes us strong as a nation.