The Brief: These memes celebrate and pay homage to LGBTQ+ Pride Month which kicks of June 1st, 2019.
DEEP DIVE
June 1st marks the beginning of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month and social media is already awash in rainbow.
Pride month has been officially recognized since 1970, one year after the Stonewall Riots of 1969, and is meant to commemorate the impact the riots had on society.
Nearly fifty years later, queer people and allies around the world continue to flock together every June to show support for LGBTQ+ rights, culture, and communities. They’re also sharing their love and support with Pride memes marked with hashtags like #Pride2019 or #PrideMonth.
If Harry Potter taught us anything, it's that no one should live in a closet.#Lovewins #PrideMonth2019 pic.twitter.com/DQISe25y2c
— 𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒆 🌸 •skr ult• (@bloomkkura) May 24, 2019
The Queer community has marked their calendars…
me on May 31st vs me on June 1st pic.twitter.com/9HrYKjL3xq
— 𝖊 𝖛 𝖎 𝖑 (@BabeoBaggins) May 31, 2018
Nobody:
Not a soul:
Me June 1: #PrideMonth2019 pic.twitter.com/KKCJewQcgK— Keishly (@keishly_chan) May 29, 2019
And cleared their agendas.
Prepare yourselves for a whole lot of rainbow.
While the rainbow flag has become a common symbol for the LGBT movement, note that there are several other less-recognized color combinations, representative of varying sexualities.
With #PrideMonth2019 among us, it is important to remember;
🌈There is a B in LGBT
🌈Pedophelia has no place in the LGBTQ+ community
🌈DO NOT OUT ANYONE
🌈Gender Dysphoria is the only thing you need to be Trans.
🌈Do not discriminate against those who are not out/fully out yet— Livvy Wrisinger (@TheLiviaFiles) May 27, 2019
It's almost pride month! It has taken me a loooong time to even find a label that fits me. I've always jumped between so many sexualities. Then I found Abrosexual and it fits me so well, and ya know what? I'm proud. So happy #PrideMonth2019 and don't be afraid to be who you are! pic.twitter.com/nWf4lvBIh7
— Cryptid (@lowkeyacryptid) May 25, 2019
It’s no surprise that corporations have capitalized on the colors of Pride Month.
Here we go! #PrideMonth pic.twitter.com/AqjedQAedu
— Patrick (@patposterous) May 30, 2019
While there is sure to be a surplus of rainbow-colored products in June…
Even @Listerine are doing rainbow colours for #PrideMonth 😂🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/1lzlbpgwis
— Sam Wise 🏳️🌈🇪🇺 (@SamWiseSW) May 23, 2019
Please be conscientious and mindful.
Reminder as #PrideMonth approaches! Give your money to queer artists/creators and small businesses! A lot of corporations will slap a rainbow on something for optics and not give back to the community. Make sure you're feeding into the right ecosystems 🌈🌈🌈
— 𝑳𝑰𝑽𝑰𝑨 𝑻𝑺𝑨𝑵𝑮 (@liviatsang) May 21, 2019
There are several businesses who will give back to the LGBTQ+ communities this month. If all else fails, this Twitter user has a suitable alternative to supporting the cause.
pride month is coming up so instead of giving your money to big corporations slapping rainbows on everything, give your money to me, a gay, directly
— isaiah (@isaiahgzmn) May 25, 2019
Pride goes beyond a month long celebration.
Pride Month is also considered an opportunity to peacefully protest and raise awareness for current issues facing the community.
straight person: hi
me during pride month: pic.twitter.com/Kx47x70oob— ash (@reigionalatbest) June 7, 2017
Could the abundance of Arthur memes be linked to the recent reveal that Mr. Ratburn was gay?
gay rat representation, i feel seen https://t.co/Z6p2F80ez6
— tyler oakley (@tyleroakley) May 13, 2019
On the subject of “Straight Pride” parades… We literally can’t even.
If you’ve ever wondered why there isn’t a straight pride parade, step back and be thankful that there has never been a need for one. We celebrate Pride as a community because for so many, being LGBT can be a source of great pain. We want to say to them, “Be proud of who you are.”
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) May 23, 2019
People have a lot to say on the subject…
Just told my 5-year-old it was Quiet Time, and he asked why he can’t have Loud Time, in case you’re wondering what you sound like when you ask for White History Month or Straight Pride
— Confetti Larkin (@DylanClarkMoore) May 23, 2019
It's almost "Straight people bitching about Gay Pride even tho they had the rest of the year to talk about straight pride but they didn't because they don't actually care and they're just angry about Gay Pride" season
— 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀, ᵇᵘᵗ ᵍᵃʸ (@jamesxingleton) May 22, 2019
Straight pride doesn’t exist for the same reasons that Britain doesn’t have an Independence Day.
— Nolan Shelton (@nolans34_rtc) May 30, 2019
people asking why there isn’t a straight pride seem to be forgetting that ed sheeran played 9 concerts here last year
— john (@Scarlet4UrMa) May 27, 2019
Friendly reminder that us straight people don’t have a “straight pride day” because we don’t get abused, bullied, murdered, kicked out of our homes, or even judged for who we love. So in other words, STOP BEING AN ENTITLED ASSHOLE AND SUPPORT THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY ALREADY.
— sarah. (@saraahguy) May 30, 2019
While attitudes and injustices still remain, the world has come a long way since the 1969 Stonewall Riots.
By continuing the long standing tradition of Pride Month, we can continue to raise awareness and encourage inclusiveness. Here’s how you can celebrate and contribute.