During the month of June, Americans come together to celebrate Pride Month and to raise awareness of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Two-spirit, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Agender, and Gender Queer (LGBTQIA+) community.
Pride Month began in commemoration of the Stonewall Uprising that took place at the end of June 1969 in Manhattan, New York. Pride is about many things: Acceptance and tolerance, equality, celebrating the work of important LGBTQIA+ activists (such as Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy), providing education about important historical events involving the LGBTQIA+ community, and raising awareness of issues that have and continue to impact the LGBTQIA+ community.
Pride Month is celebrated by those who identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community as well as by those who support them. It is an important annual event that can be fun and lighthearted but also carries heavy and sober memories of painful exclusion, past and present.
GARE has established a webpage of LGBTQIA+ resources to share with employees and their family. This small but significant step will demonstrate the department’s strengthened efforts in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
CDCR and CCHCS are committed to being an ally for our LGBTQIA+ community and supportive of all individuals in our communities, both inside and outside prisons.
If you are interested in attending and supporting in-person celebrations for California’s LGBTQIA+ community during Pride Month, go to the Visit California webpage.
To encourage employees to expand their knowledge and gain new experiences, CDCR/CCHCS GARE Ambassadors are sharing celebrations throughout the year. To learn more about the diversity, equity and inclusion efforts visit the GARE website.