PRIDE parades and festivals have long been events put on FOR and BY the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and more) community and their allies to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride and culture.

• In 1969, there was Stonewall; a historic site in New York City, famous for hosting the LGBTQ+ community, that had to defend itself against attacks from those who believed that they did not belong.
• On June 27, 1970, Chicago organized its first Gay Liberation march in honor of the Stonewall events the year before, which took place, also on the last Saturday in June.
• Los Angeles also hosted a Liberation march on June 28, 1970

Many others followed these examples in the years to come. However, by the 1980s, leadership in the LGBTQ+ community began to shift, along with the vision for marches, parades and festivals. There was even a shift in language, from Liberation to Pride, thus how the “PRIDE” parades and festivals were born.

Today, cities all over the world continue to celebrate and pay homage to the events of Stonewall by celebrating with parades and festivals yearly--mostly still on the last weekend of June. June was also declared LGBTQ+ PRIDE month finally by our government to honor the sacrifices of those before, and of present, who fought, and continue to fight, to ensure liberation for the LGBTQ+ community.

This year, 2016, the Domestic Violence Action Center, along with your very own TAP team, marched in its first PRIDE parade.

We also hung around to table at the festival--playing fun games, engaging with the community, and giving out awesome TAP swag along with great information on how to reach out for help when necessary.

The Teen Alert Program is fully committed to engaging with and creating safe spaces for our LGBTQ+ youth. We understand that:

• The LGBTQ+ community experiences Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) at the same rate, and some same at higher rates, than they heterosexual counterparts.
• LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing IPV are LESS likely to reach out for help
• LGBTQ+ individuals and couples already experience high rates of discrimination and further trauma often with seeking help
• LGBTQ+ youth have an especially difficult time seeking help for unhealthy relationships. Often they are facing threats of being outed, or of outing themselves by seeking help; threats of further abuse; discrimination in school, counseling, and medical settings

Seeking help can be a scary thing, and for youth, it can be even scarier. TAP understands what it takes for our clients to come to us and say, “Please help me”. So, just remember, when you’re ready, TAP is here!!!!

Happy PRIDE!!!!!!