OCC invites students, employees and the community to celebrate Pride Month through education, awareness and inclusion of 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 LGBTQ+ community. Parades, festivals, concerts, and other events pay tribute to those who were involved in the Stonewall riots, and to promote equal justice for LGBTQ+ individuals.
This year, OCC is honored to support Ferndale Pride as a silver sponsor, thanks to a collaboration between the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice, and Office of Government and Community Relations.
“At OCC, we continually strive to create an environment that is inclusive, that celebrates our community, and that supports our students, faculty, and staff to fully be themselves,” said Kristina Marshall, director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice. “We want our students, employees and community to feel safe and supported.”
CALL TO ACTION: We encourage all OCC employees, students, partners, and community to participate in some trivia to learn more. Students will be entered into a drawing to win a gift card. Deadline is Monday, June 24 at 11:59 p.m. Winners will be contacted by June 28.
“Our LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee is dedicated to raising awareness of LGBTQIA+ community issues, fostering a culture of acceptance, and promoting inclusiveness for all individuals,” said Dawn Perkowski, chair of The Office of DEIJ’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee.
Pride Month History
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.
Origin of the Rainbow Flag
In 1978, artist Gilbert Baker, an openly gay man, 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 and hope for the gay community. In 1994, the rainbow flag was established as a symbol for LGBTQ+ pride, representing the diversity and unity of the community.
LGBTQ+ Calendar
June
- LGBTQ+ Pride Month
- June 5: Aromantic Visibility Day
- June 12: Pulse Remembrance
- June 28: Stonewall Day
July
- July 8-14: Nonbinary Awareness Week
- July 14: International Nonbinary People's Day
- July 16: International Drag Day
September
- September 16-23: Bisexual+ Awareness Week
- September 23: Celebrate Bisexuality Day
October
- LGBTQ+ History Month
- October 8: International Lesbian Day
- October 11: National Coming Out Day
- October 17-24: Genderfluid Visibility Week
- October 20 – 26: Asexual Awareness Week (Ace Week)
- October 26: Intersex Awareness Day
November
- Trans Awareness Month
- November 13-19: Transgender Awareness Week
- November 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance
February
- February 16-22: Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week
March
- March 31: International Transgender Day of Visibility
April
- April 6: International Asexuality Day
- April 26: Lesbian Visibility Day
May
- May 17: International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
- May 19: Agender Pride Day
- May 22: Harvey Milk Day
- May 24: Pansexual and Panromantic Awareness Day
Definitions and Terms
- GLSEN Pronoun Guide
- GLAAD Glossary of Terms
- PFLAG National Glossary of Terms
- 33 LGBTQIA+ Terms You Should Know
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. Here, you can 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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