June is Pride Month in the US

June 2025 marks the twenty sixth annual celebration of Pride Month since President Bill Clinton proclaimed June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month back in 1999. Pride Month focuses on achieving equal justice and opportunity for LGBTQI+ Americans.

History of Pride Month

The first Pride march actually happened many years before President Clinton’s proclamation, with the Gay Pride Liberation March in 1970 commemorating the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City’s Greenwich Village. At that time, homosexual activity was illegal in almost every state, leading to harassment and abuse by law enforcement. When police attempted to raid the Stonewall Inn, they were met with resistance from staff and patrons as well as members of the surrounding community. The confrontations lasted until the morning hours after police were forced to barricade themselves in the bar until the crowd was de-escalated.

The following year Brenda Howard and other activists organized the first Pride Week and Pride Parade on the same street as the Stonewall Inn, attracting a large crowd that reportedly took up 15 city blocks at its peak. Soon after, other major cities began having similar celebrations, leading to the month-long celebration we have today, which includes rallies, pride parades, concerts, and other events.

LGBTQI+ in the Workplace

Many employers see a rise in conflict in the workplace when hot-button issues come to the forefront in current events and politics. Recent Executive Orders targeting the LGBTQI+ community in the military, federal agencies, sports, and even healthcare are no exception.

As a reminder, the state of California prohibits discrimination and harassment in employment because of sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity, including transgender or transitioning status.  California’s protections extend beyond the workplace into areas such as public accommodation, housing, and receipt of services as outlined by the California Civil Rights Department and Attorney General Rob Bonta.

Pride Month is a great opportunity for employers to educate their workforce on the important contributions of LGBTQI+ individuals in the United States of America.

You do not need to look very far back in history to find someone from the LGBTQI+ community who helped shape the world we live in today: On September 11, 2001 Mark Bingham, a San Francisco resident and member of the LGBTAI+ community, with three other passengers on highjacked United Flight 93, rushed the cockpit forcing the hijackers to crash the plane in a remote field in Pennsylvania before reaching its intended target—believed to be Washington D.C . After his sacrifice U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer and John McCain honored him along with other Bay Area victims—many memorials have been established in his honor throughout the Bay Area.

Events should be voluntary. Remember that employees can refuse to attend mandatory meetings where employers express their political or religious views, and must be paid for their time even if they don’t attend. Events should be open to all employees.

CEA has a team of HR Advisors that can assist your company with questions and training, including Harassment Prevention Training, and other resources. Give us a call at 800.399.5331 to get started.