LGBTQ+ people deserve moment of honor during Pride Month

Anna Hernandez

Submitted photo/City of Phoenix

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OPINION — As we head into mid-June, I want to take a moment to honor Pride Month — and the truth of where it comes from. LGBTQ+ people have always been part of humanity, part of our history and part of our community.

Pride didn't start as a parade. It started as a protest. In June 1969, the patrons of the Stonewall Inn in New York City fought back against police harassment and discrimination, igniting a resistance movement that changed the course of history. That courage is the foundation of the LGBTQ+ rights movement we know today, and it's a legacy we carry forward.

As we celebrate this month, we honor everyone who risked everything so that future generations could live openly, freely and with dignity. That includes the ongoing fight for trans rights, a fight that is far from over.

It's also essential that we recognize and uplift the LGBTQ+ migrant movement here in our own communities. A special thank you to Trans Queer Pueblo for your tireless work protecting and advocating for the dignity of our residents. We see you, and we stand with you.

Because none of us are free until all of us are free. 

Anna Hernandez Anna Hernandez represents District 7 on the Phoenix City Council.  Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.