Pride Month is observed in June across the United States and in other places around the world.

The observance commemorates years of struggle for civil rights and the ongoing pursuit of equal justice under the law for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community, as well as the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ individuals. (The abbreviations LGBTQ+, LGBTQI+ and LGBTQIA+ are also sometimes used. Click here to find out what identity each letter represents.) June was chosen to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, New York, which was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States.

In recognition of Pride Month, the University posted messages celebrating all LGBTQ+ identities on Instagram and Twitter.

Happy #PrideMonth! We celebrate all LGBTQ+ identities and reaffirm our commitment to being a welcoming, safe and supportive place for ALL members of the Notre Dame family.

We see you. We're glad you're here. You are an important member of our community. pic.twitter.com/b0ou28Iia8

— University of Notre Dame (@NotreDame) June 1, 2023

“Pride is a celebration of generations of LGBTQI+ people, who have fought bravely to live openly and authentically. And it is a reminder that we still have generational work to do to ensure that everyone enjoys the full promise of equity, dignity, protection, and freedom,” U.S. President. Joseph R. Biden wrote in a proclamation. 

On Notre Dame’s campus, several organizations and units exist to support the LGBTQ+ community, particularly PrismND and the Spectrum LGBTQ & Ally Employee Resource Group (ERG). 

PrismND, the University’s first and only official LGBTQ+ undergraduate student organization, is  dedicated to fostering the campus LGBTQ+ community. The organization also works to raise awareness of the community’s needs by hosting a variety of events, such as weekly HangOuts and the annual, campus-wide Stand Against Hate Week.

Spectrum provides support to LGBTQ+ and ally employees with the goal of positively influencing  the campus community and serving as a resource to the University. The ERG also hosts events and networking opportunities and provides innovative ideas for employee recruitment and retention.

Check out these resources the two groups gathered for students as well as staff, faculty and alumni for more information about gender neutral bathrooms, benefits, ally and safe space training, and harassment and discrimination reporting.

In addition, in order to respond to the various expressed needs of members of the student body who identify as LGBTQ and simultaneously to cultivate deeper understanding and support for the Catholic mission and ideals of the University, the Gender Relations Center offers a variety of programs and initiatives around the areas of sexual identity and gender identity.

Additional resources include:

• The history of Pride Month and traditions from the Library of Congress
• The Human Rights Campaign’s Being an LGBTQ+ Ally report
• GLAAD’s Pride Facts: Current State of Anti-LGBTQ Violence
• Article: How Did the Rainbow Flag Become a Symbol of LGBTQ Pride?
• PFLAG’s LGBT+ Glossary
• The Ultimate LGBTQ+ Pride Book List from Penguin Random House

And click here for a schedule of Northwest Indiana Pride events and others across the state.