June is here and that means it’s Pride month! While many associate Pride with colorful parades and parties, Pride is not just a celebration – it's a powerful declaration of visibility, resilience, and the unshakable right to live and love authentically.
However, in today’s political climate these ideals are being challenged, and many regions are seeing a rise in LGBTQIA+ legislation (e.g., targeting trans healthcare, drag performances, and inclusive education). In places where rights are under threat, Pride is more important than ever, especially since it started as a resistance in the pursuit of equality and inclusion.
Despite the criminalization of homosexuality in the US in 1969, the Stonewall Inn offered refuge where Queer individuals could freely express themselves. A police raid on June 28th, 1969 ignited a six-day rebellion, a pivotal moment that fueled the LGBTQIA+ rights movement. The following year, the first ever Pride parade was launched and continues to be an annual driving force in ensuring the LGBTQIA+ community is visible and heard.
Whether you’re here to learn, unlearn, or stand in solidarity, you’re in the right place, as we explore the importance of Allyship, Visibility, and the Power of Joy.
Pride as a Form of Resistance in 2025
Pride began not as a celebration, but as a protest. The Stonewall Riots of 1969 were a response to police brutality and systemic discrimination against LGBTQIA+ people.
In 2025, Pride remains a vital form of resistance, especially in the face of rising anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation, misinformation, and hate. Some of the challenges include:
- Executive orders prohibiting federal funding for gender-affirming care for both minors and adults.
- Denying federal protection to where individuals can be discriminated against and denied loans, healthcare, or face possible housing insecurity based on their identity.
- Book bans in schools regarding works that contain sexual orientation and gender identity.
- Laws prohibiting individuals from using gender-affirming bathrooms in public schools and government-owned facilities.
- Bans on transgender individuals serving in the military.
- Prohibiting transgender women from participating in female sports.
- The banning of LGBTQIA+ flags from government buildings and schools in the state of Utah.
- Protests against drag queens and events, sometimes leading to violence.
Now more than ever, Pride and taking collective action is necessary to remind the world that LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights, and they’re not up for political debate.
The Role of Allyship
Even if you don’t identify as LGBTQIA+ you can still help the community by being an ally. The role of an ally is to actively support, uplift, and stand in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ individuals in the fight for equality, inclusivity, and justice. Allies also help in creating safe spaces where people feel seen, protected, valued, and respected.
Whether you're new to allyship or continuing your journey, every step you take can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others:
- Contacting Representatives: One of the most effective ways to support LGBTQIA+. Urge your local representatives to advocate for inclusive, equitable legislation.
- Donating to Organizations: Donating to LGBTQIA+ organizations is a powerful way to support advocacy, community programs, and vital resources that directly uplift and protect queer lives.
- Educating Yourself and Others: A key part of allyship. Break down misinformation, challenge bias, and foster greater understanding and inclusion.
- Understand Terms Regarding Gender Identity: Respecting and using someone’s correct gender pronouns affirms their identity and fosters inclusivity.
- Staying Updated and Informed on Current Issues: Ensures that your allyship is grounded in awareness, relevance, and the ability to advocate effectively when it matters most.
- Supporting LGBTQIA+ Owned Businesses: Supporting LGBTQIA+ owned businesses is a meaningful way to showcase entrepreneurs, strengthen community economies, and promote equity through everyday choices.
- Showing Up and Being Visible: Pride Month is important, but allyship is needed every day. Consistent support makes the biggest difference.
The Power of Self-Love
In a world that often tries to shame or silence queer identities, choosing to love yourself, fully and unapologetically, is revolutionary. It's the foundation of mental well-being, healthy relationships, and the courage to live authentically. Self-love affirms that LGBTQIA+ people are worthy of joy, safety, and respect, exactly as they are.
The Role of Pleasure in Self-Love
Exploring one’s own body and embracing pleasure is a fundamental part of self-discovery and self-acceptance. It’s through this personal exploration that many individuals, particularly within the LGBTQIA+ community, begin to understand their identities, boundaries, and desires.This journey is not just physical, it’s also emotional and deeply validating. By learning what feels good, what feels right, and what feels true, individuals can cultivate a stronger sense of self and authenticity.
Connecting Pleasure Together
Whether someone is just beginning their journey of self-discovery or deepening their relationship with themselves, pleasure products can offer autonomy and freedom to explore identity and sensuality outside of societal norms or pressure. From vibrators to strokers, plugs to wands, we offer a variety of options that allow people to tailor their experience to what feels right for them making self-love a truly personalized journey.
Adam & Eve: Standing in Solidarity
Adam & Eve continues to be an advocate for Pride and stands in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community. We believe everyone deserves to live openly, authentically, and without fear. We honor the courage, resilience, and contributions of LGBTQIA+ individuals and their allies past and present, and understand Pride is not just as a moment, but a movement toward lasting change. This month, and every month, we see you, we stand with you, and we support you.
Looking To Make a Difference?
Change starts with action and your voice matters. To learn more and see how you can help today, check out some of the following, or look online to find a local organization near you.
The Trevor Project: Focusing on LGBTQIA+ youth, The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention, suicide prevention, advocacy, research, peer support and education on a nationwide level.
Human Rights Campaign: From mobilizing voters nationwide, to educating the community about issues facing the LGBTQIA+ community, to advocating for equality for all, the Human Rights Campaign is leading the way to end discrimination and break down barriers.
PFLAG: With many of the LGBTQIA+ community under attack, PFLAG is one of the nation's largest organizations dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQIA+ people, their families and their allies.
Athlete Ally: This organization's mission is to help every athlete, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, feel welcome and safe in the world of sports.
American Veterans for Equal Rights: With the new executive order barring trans people from serving in the military, and with a constantly changing political landscape, this organization of all-volunteer military veterans is continuing to fight for the rights of military veterans, active-duty service members, and their families.
Conclusion
As we celebrate Pride, let us remember that visibility, equality, and love are not confined to just one month, but are everyday values worth defending. Pride is not just a moment in time, but a continuous movement toward justice, inclusion, and the right for all to live openly and authentically.
The challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community are still prevalent today and the journey is far from over, but together we will continue moving forward. We encourage you to stand with us and never stop fighting for a world where all are equal, identities are respected, and every person can express themselves freely and proudly. And remember, love is love and Pride is power.
