Widow 101

June is Pride Month — a time of celebration, remembrance, and radical love. For many, it’s a month of parades, rainbow flags, and public joy. But for those of us who know the weight of grief, Pride Month can also be a quiet reminder: that love, in all its forms, is worth fighting for. That every human deserves to live — and to be remembered — fully and freely.

Whether you’re a queer widow, the loved one of someone who was, or simply an ally walking through grief and healing, the story of Pride holds something powerful for all of us.

The History of Pride Month

Pride Month honors the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City, where LGBTQ+ people — led by trans women of color like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera — stood up against years of police harassment and societal rejection. What began as a protest became a movement, and what was once underground became a celebration of visibility and freedom.

The first Pride march took place in 1970, one year after Stonewall. Today, Pride Month is recognized all over the world — not just as a party, but as a powerful declaration: We are here. We matter. We will not hide.

As I move through June, I feel the need to show my support for the LGBTQ+ social movement that was initiated by that violent raid. During that police attack at the Stonewall Inn, patrons and employees were dragged from the club — but locals didn’t remain silent. They fought back, sparking a six-day riot that captured national attention. This event brought the gay rights movement to the forefront of the news, to politicians, and to the world.

It is an honor to use my platform to show support for a community that I strongly believe in and stand beside.

Where Grief and Pride Intersect

Grief and Pride may seem like opposites — one steeped in sorrow, the other in celebration. But if you’ve ever loved and lost, you understand how closely they’re tied. Many widows in the LGBTQ+ community faced not just the pain of loss, but the pain of erasure — having their relationships dismissed or unacknowledged. Some couldn’t publicly grieve the person they loved, or were pushed out of funeral plans, families, and memories.

Pride Month is a call to honor every kind of love, even the ones the world tried to ignore. It’s a chance to say: Your love was real. Your grief is valid. Your story belongs here.

A Month of Meaning

What began as protest has evolved into celebration—but at its core, Pride remains a declaration of identity, resilience, and solidarity. From parades to panels, rainbow flags to reflective conversations, Pride is both a tribute to those who came before us and a call to keep moving forward.

Let this June be a month of remembrance, connection, and compassion. Because Pride isn’t just about who we love — it’s about how we love. Boldly. Bravely. And without apology.

For more information, click the link below.

https://www.history.com/articles/pride-month#Origins-of-Pride-Month
Happy PRIDE!! 🏳️‍🌈