Join us this month as OCC celebrates Pride Month by recognizing and supporting LGBTQ+ voices, culture and rights.
Every year during the month of June, events are held across the globe to promote equal justice and opportunity for the LGBTQIA+ community. Parades, festivals, concerts and other events pay tribute to those who were involved in the Stonewall Uprising, which sparked the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement and remains a defining moment for the community within the United States. At OCC, we recognize and celebrate the freedom for our students and employees to be themselves and accepted for who they are.
CALL TO ACTION: We encourage all OCC employees, students, partners and community to participate in some trivia to learn more. Everyone who participates and answers all 14 multiple choice questions (whether you get them right or wrong) will be entered into a drawing to win a $15 gift card sponsored by PNC bank.
How did Pride begin?
On June 28, 1969, New York City (NYC) police raided the Stonewall Inn, a prominent gay club in Greenwich Village, sparking a riot from patrons that led to a six-day-long protest. The brave actions of these protestors motivated other LGBTQ+ activist groups in NYC and throughout the country to fight for equality. A year after the Stonewall riots, the nation's first Gay Pride marches were held.
How did the rainbow flag become a symbol of LGBTQ+ Pride?
In 1978, artist Gilbert Baker, an openly gay man and a drag queen, designed the first rainbow flag.He was urged by Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States, to create a symbol of pride for the gay community. The rainbow flag represents the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community.
LGBTQIA+ Resources
At OCC, we want our community – students, faculty and staff – to feel safe and supported. Here are some helpful resources and Zoom backgrounds for Pride month!
Dates throughout the year related to LGBTQIA+ recognition
- June: LGBTQIA+ Pride Month
- July 14: Non-Binary People's Day
- Sept. 16-23: Bisexual Awareness Week
- Sept. 23: Bi Visibility Day/Celebrate Bisexuality Day/Bisexual Pride Day
- October: LGBTQIA+ History Month
- Oct. 11: National Coming Out Day
- Oct. 26: Intersex Awareness Day
- Oct. 23 – 29: Asexual Awareness Week (Ace Week)
- Nov. 13-19: Trans Awareness Week
- Nov. 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance
- March 31: International Transgender Visibility
LGBTQIA+ terminology
Support and learning
- Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center
Southeast Michigan hub for LGBTQ+ communities: Offers a wide range of health services, support groups, community events, and education learning labs. - Ruth Ellis Center
Offers integrated primary health services, behavioral health services, and residential care facilities for insured and uninsured LGBTQ youth and young adults. - The Trevor Project
World’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people. Reach out to a counselor, find resources, and get the tools needed to help someone else. - Stonewall Forever
Self-guided living monument: Explores the history of Stonewall Inn, a tiny bar where 50 years ago LGBTQ people fought back against years of oppression. Today the legacy of the Stonewall riots lives around the world in every Pride march and in every member of the LGBTQ+ community. - What We Know About Gender Identity According to Science
Gender identity is complicated, but how it works in the brain is even more so. Watch this video to learn more.
About OCC
Oakland Community College offers nearly 100 degrees and certificates programs with the resources students need to be successful and advance our community. As a top transfer institution, OCC offers one of the state’s most affordable tuition rates and flexibility in scheduling with face-to-face and online options. The College is nationally recognized for its high-demand career training with expert faculty in their fields. More than 1 million students have enrolled in the College since it opened in 1965. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.
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