LGBT HISTORY MONTH

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First celebrated in 1994, it was declared a national History month by President Barack Obama in 2009. LGBT History Month is a month-long annual observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements. LGBT History Month provides role models, builds community, and represents a civil rights statement about the contributions of the LGBT community

The Unity Pride Flag

The Unity Pride Flag

A flag meant to show support and inclusiveness for all, no matter race, sex, gender or sexuality, from the rainbow to the grey.
Replacing other symbols the lemniscate symbolizing we’re all infinitely connected to one another no matter our differences.

The Unity Pride Flag celebrates our diversity as individually and our unity as a community. Those who themselves are represented in this flag on the left to those who are on the grey side.

We See You, We Hear You, We Love You & We’re Proud of You

The colours of The Unity Pride Flag come from the roots of Gilbert Baker’s original 8 color Gay Pride Flag in 1978, Jim Evans’s Polyamorous Flag in 1995, Michael Page’s Bisexual Flag in 1998, Monica Helms’s Trans Flag in 1999, Sean Campbell’s Lesbian Flag in 1999, Unknown creator Pansexual Flag in 2010, Aven’s Asexual Flag in 2010, Unknown Demisexual Flag in 2010, Evie Varney’s Pansexual Flag in 2010, KJ People’s Genderfluid Flag in 2012, Tumblr user Samlin’s Polysexual Flag in 2012, AVEN – Aromantic Flag in 2011 & 2014, Morgan Carpenter’s Intersex Flag in 2013,
Salem X’s Agender Flag in 2014, Marilyn Roxie’s Genderqueer Flag in 2010, Marilyn Roxie‘s Nonbinary Flag in 2014, Philadelphia’s addition of Brown and Black representing communities of colour in 2017, Daniel Quasar’s Progress Pride Flag in 2018. You can also find the colours for many other flags here and that represent our allies.

Pansexual Visibility Day

The River of Pride Pansexual Visibility Day

Pan Visibility Day is on May 24th and is a day to celebrate and recognize those who identify as pansexual.

Here are a few helpful bits of info.

Pan means ‘all’ and comes from the Geek’s. Pansexual people aren’t attracted to all other people, but they are attracted to people of all genders. This is different from being attracted to everyone; in the same way that a heterosexual woman will not be attracted to all men and a lesbian woman will not be attracted to all women, pansexual people will experience attraction to specific people and not others.

Pansexuality is different from bisexuality but the two aren’t mutually exclusive. Being bisexual means being attracted to more than one gender, while being pansexual means being attracted to people regardless of gender. Pansexuality and bisexuality are not in conflict. In fact, some bisexual people also identify as pansexual, and vice versa. Pansexuality is included under the bisexual umbrella, which covers anyone who experiences sexual or romantic attraction to more than one gender.

Harvey Milk Day

The River of Pride Harvey Milk

We take a moment to celebrates the achievements of Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist who was assassinated in 1978.

Harvey Milk was the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in a major city in the US, serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 1977-1978. His life and political career embody the rise of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights movement.

While in office, Milk worked to pass a gay rights ordinance and defeat Proposition 6, commonly known as the Briggs Initiative, which would have banned gays and lesbians from teaching in public schools. Milk encouraged LGBT people to be visible in society and believed in achieving social equality.

Milk was assassinated in 1978 by Dan White, a former colleague on the Board of Supervisors whose politics often clashed with Milk’s. On October 11, 2009, Californian governor Arnold Schwarzenegger established Harvey Milk Day to be held as a significant observance on May 22, which is Milk’s birthday. Harvey Milk Day is marked as a special day of significance in schools across the state.

Show us Your Pride!!

Pride month is fast approaching with many Pride celebrations being postponed or cancelled due to covid. We’d like you to share your favorite Pride Stories. Share your Pride photos and anything you’d like to about what Pride means to you!!

Lea DeLaria

The River of Pride Lea DeLaria

Lea DeLaria is an American comedian, actress, and jazz singer. DeLaria is credited with being the first openly gay comic to appear on a late-night talk show with her 1993 appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show. She is best known for her portrayal of inmate Carrie “Big Boo” Black on Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black.

In December 1993 Lea DeLaria hosted Comedy Central’s Out There, the first all-gay stand-up comedy special.