While related divisiveness and controversy rages across a growing number of states, Pride Month this June provides an opportunity to recognize and embrace our own Newtown and Connecticut neighbors who are also members of the LGBTQ+ community.

According to Meg Metcalf, writing for the Library of Congress, Pride Month is rooted in an incident referred to as the Stonewall Uprising.

A City University of New York report recalls that in the late hours of June 28, 1969, a routine police raid of a gay bar called Stonewall Inn sparked the fire that fueled the first wave of the Gay Pride Movement in New York City. After seeing several gay men and women being arrested, a crowd of displaced patrons gathered outside of the bar becoming increasingly agitated.

As one woman was hit over the head by a police officer with a billy club, she incited the crowd into action by asking them to “Do Something!” Within minutes the raiding of Stonewall escalated into a full-blown riot.

Flash forward one year to June 28, 1970, and the first Pride marches were held in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago to commemorate the incident. Since then, June has been celebrated as Pride Month, serving to honor those who participated in the uprising. It also marks our collective work to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and more (LGBTQ+) Americans.

While there is much to celebrate about the inclusiveness and acceptance that members of those communities have selectively enjoyed depending on the time and place, Pride Month 2023 is a time to also recognize that our LGBTQ+ family, friends, and neighbors are facing a new wave of discrimination that must be combated by all of us.

Earlier this month the Associated Press reported the Human Rights Campaign declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people in this country. The AP subsequently released a guidebook pointing to laws it deems discriminatory in each state, along with “know your rights” information and resources to help people relocate to states with stronger LGBTQ+ protections.

Just a few days into Pride Month, the campaign said it was taking action in response to an “unprecedented and dangerous” spike in discriminatory legislation sweeping state houses this year, with more than 525 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced and more than 70 signed into law so far in 2023 — more than double last year’s number.

At the same time more locally, the Behavioral Health Action Organization of Southwestern Connecticut revealed studies and surveys that have consistently shown that LGBTQIA+ (including Intersex and Asexual) individuals face unique struggles and disparities associated with mental health.

The discrimination and mental health challenges faced by the queer community must be a significant concern for all of us. Whether it is the growing slate of legislative injustices, the increased rates of mental health issues, or higher risks of suicide and substance use disorders, it is critical that we all understand the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ people so that we may begin to address them collectively.

Pride Month is a good time to develop or energize our efforts toward better understanding the challenges our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters are facing, and to begin stepping up to embrace their challenges as if they were those of our own loved ones.

Because they are.