From the Archives: Pride!
- Aute Porter, LMFT
- Jun 1
- 3 min read
Pride honors the LGBTQIA+ community — folks who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Ace/ Asexual. The + includes identities not listed in this acronym, such as third gender identities from cultures outside of the Western context. Examples are the hijra (India), muxe (Zapotec people of Oaxaca), and fa'afafine (Sāmoa). Some third gender identities, like the baklâ (Philippines), and māhū (Polynesia), played sacred spiritual, healing, and leadership roles in their pre-colonial societies. In 1990, the term two-spirit was used to describe third gender identities for peoples indigenous to Turtle Island (North America), such as the wínkte of the Lakota, the nádleehi of the Navajo, and the ‘aqi of the Chumash.
Here in the United States, Pride often correlates with the month of June in recognition of the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion, a pivotal moment in the fight for gay rights, and the culmination of years of LGBTQIA+ activism. On June 28th, 1969, a police raid took place at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City's Greenwich Village, sparking resistance led by figures such as Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, two trans women of color. The uprising that followed led to the first Pride marches on June 28th, 1970 in NYC, LA, and Chicago, and to the formation of gay rights organizations. This eventually paved a path for greater acceptance to live and love freely, reflected through important changes in legal rights, such as the decriminalization of homosexuality, and the nation-wide right for same-sex marriage in June of 2015.
While our country has progressed, homophobia and transphobia are still persistent sources of harm. LGBTQIA+ individuals face unique mental health challenges due to stigma, discrimination, and social exclusion, leading to higher rates of anxiety, depression, substance use, and suicidal ideation. QPOC (queer people of color) may also experience racism, leading to even greater disparities. Access to affirming mental health care is crucial, yet many people in the queer community can encounter limited resources and provider bias. Early last year, executive orders were put into place to withhold federal funding for gender-affirming care for minors, as well as bans and prohibitions for transgender individuals in the military, and trans women in sports. Click here for the ACLU's map of attacks on legislature protecting LGBTQ+ rights in 2026, and here for an Anti-Trans Bills Tracker.
Pride Month serves as a vibrant celebration of identity, authenticity, love, diversity, reclamation, and resistance. It’s also a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Local Resources
Lisa’s Place - Center for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Folks
Bialogue Santa Barbara - Weekly Meetings for Bi+ Folks
PFLAG Santa Barbara - For Family Members of LGBTQIA+ Folks
Planned Parenthood IN-clued - Workshops for Inclusive Care for LGBTQ+ Youth
SB Unitas - Calendar of Events and LGBTQIA+ Community Groups
SpeakOUT at CCEC (Community Counseling and Education Center)
June is also Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, Black Music Month, National Caribbean American Heritage Month, and Men's Health Month, alongside these dates:
June 5 – World Environment Day
June 14 – Race Unity Day
June 12 – Loving Day
June 12 – World Day Against Child Labor
June 16 – Muharram Islamic New Year (Islamic)
June 19 – Juneteenth
June 20 – World Refugee Day
June 21 – Litha, Summer Solstice (Pagan)
June 21 – National Indigenous Peoples Day (Canada)
June 28 – Pride Day (LGBTQ+)
In liberation,
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