LGBTQ+ Pride Month 2024

national council for mental wellbeing pride month graphic

What is LGBTQ+ Pride Month?

LGBTQ+ Pride Month is celebrated annually in June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall riots, which marked the beginning of a movement to dismantle discriminatory laws and practices against LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. The month is dedicated to recognizing the many accomplishments and advancements of the LGBTQ+ communities while fighting for equal justice and opportunity.

Why is LGBTQ+ Pride Month Important?

Pride Month is an opportunity to raise awareness of important LGBTQ+ issues. For example, did you know that due to marginalization and discrimination, many people in the LGBTQ+ communities don’t have access to inclusive and equitable health care? Research shows:

  • Discrimination against LGBTQ+ people has been associated with high rates of psychiatric disorders, substance abuse and suicide. 
  • Approximately 8% of LGBTQ+ individuals, including nearly 27% of transgender individuals, report being denied needed health care.
  • In mental health care, stigma, lack of cultural sensitivity, and unconscious and conscious reluctance to address sexuality may hamper effectiveness of care.
  • In a survey of LGBTQ+ people, more than half of all respondents reported they have faced cases of providers denying care, using harsh language or blaming the patient’s sexual orientation or gender identity for causing an illness.

How Can I Support LGBTQ+ Pride Month?

the national council staff supporting pride month at the D.C. pride parade

By learning about and bringing attention to inequalities, you can help pave the way for positive and permanent change. Here are a few ways to get started:

Where Can I Find Resources?

Keep your learning journey going by downloading our resources, viewing our webinar recordings and reading our blog posts addressing various LGBTQ+ topics:

For external resources and information regarding LGBTQ+ topics, issues and trends, explore these helpful websites and then bookmark your favorites: