The Evolution of Pride Month

Date: June 24, 2023

Pride. For such a little word is sure does carry a big meaning.

Some define pride as “consciousness of one's own dignity,” and another definition could be “a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements.” As we move towards the end of Pride Month, we can look at the long road many brave individuals paved for us today, reflecting on the events of the Stonewall Riots in 1969. From this inflection point, came a number of organizations that advocated for change and recognition such as the Gay Liberation Front, the Human Rights Campaign and (GLAAD) which evolved from Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.

In looking at this history, we see an evolution of awareness and progress. Tolerance moves to acceptance, which moves to inclusion, which leads away from redefining and more towards reimagining who we are today as we expand our perspective.

It’s fair to say that to some of those involved in the earlier days of the Pride movement the changes may be coming at a dizzying pace and hard to keep up with. Likewise, progress carries its own momentum and for those today energized by the movement, while appreciating the past are eager for ever more advancement.

Our Union is moving to make our own advancements, with our latest addition of a new MEC Human Rights and Equities Committee (HRE) that begins their term on July 1. Our HRE have provided a perspective on a number of resources that help advance our mutual cause and protect those who may need support. As the world changes, we do too and as Flight Attendants we’ve already got the innate qualities of diversity and adaptation.

This month of Pride is like the tip of an iceberg of all the changes we’ve mentioned above. It can be a month of reflection, introspection, evolution, celebration and joy but it is an important reminder perseverance over adversity to celebrate our uniqueness and community.