Pride Month: How to celebrate the LGBTQ community this year

June marks the 51st celebration of Pride Month -- a time when millions of people come together in support of the LGBTQ community. This year, many celebrations across the globe will resume as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and more people are vaccinated.

So why does Pride Month take place in June? It goes back to June 28, 1969 when police raided a gay club called Stonewall Inn in New York. Though the police claimed the bar was operating with an improper liquor license, the raid was about nothing more than violently harassing and arresting LGBTQ people in one of the few places where they felt safe. Similar raids on gay-friendly business had been occurring for decades, but Stonewall was one of the first times when the patrons fought back. A diverse crowd of lesbians, gay men and transgender women, many of whom were people of color, clashed with the police, threw bottles and refused to be intimidated. The six day period of protests and demonstrations is now known as the Stonewall Riots. A New York rally held the next year to commemorate the first anniversary of the riots started the now regular tradition of Pride Month.

Below, we've suggested ways you can get involved, what you can read and watch, and other ways to celebrate the LGBTQ community. 

Attend a Pride parade or festival

This year, some Pride Month festivities will resume in person, depending on where you live. However, many have been postponed until later this year or next year due to the coronavirus. If you can't find a parade in your area (you can search Pride parade Chicago, for instance), see if there are other events you can attend.

San Francisco, for example, will not have a parade, but will have a Pride movie night with face masks and social distancing required. Los Angeles will have two outdoor Pride events. See this calendar for more Pride events happening around the world in June. 

Atlanta Pride Run is also happening this year in person. The run is for generating LGBTQ awareness in the community. You can also participate in this event virtually -- see below.

You can also find Pride events for different parts of the LGBTQ community including women, transgender people and people of color. 

Support Pride organizations by donating

Can't make it to any events but would like to support the LGBTQ community? You can do so by donating to Pride organizations. The International LGBTQ Travel Association organization helps provide marketing support to LGBTQ businesses. 

What to watch for Pride Month -- and where

Netflix has a genre page for Pride Month, including movies, TV shows, documentaries, GLAAD award nominees and more. New seasons of Feel Good and Elite will also be available in June, Netflix told CNET.

Hulu has a designated page for Pride Month, as well. A popular option is the documentary, Pride.

CNET editors also have recommendations for LGBTQ movies and shows to watch in June -- or any other time. Some of these include The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson, Portrait of a Lady on Fire and Moonlight.

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