Important Dates

The LGBTQ+ community observes numerous important dates throughout the year, honoring visibility, advocacy, and remembrance. From Pride celebrations and history months to awareness and memorial days, these observances highlight resilience, progress, and the ongoing fight for equality. Many dates focus on specific identities, health awareness, and historic milestones. For a more comprehensive list, visit GLAAD.org.

  • International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) is celebrated on March 31st each year. It's a day to recognize the accomplishments and resilience of transgender and non-binary people. It's also a day to raise awareness of the discrimination and violence that transgender people face.

  • In 2024, GLSEN's Day of Silence was rebranded as the Day of (No) Silence, a day focused on taking action against laws that impact the rights and visibility of the LGBTQ+ community.

  • June is Pride Month because it commemorates the Stonewall Uprising, a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, which took place on June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in New York City; the first Pride marches following the riots also occurred in June, solidifying the month as a time to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride. 

  • Pulse Remembrance Day is observed annually on June 12 to honor the victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida. The day includes events to remember the victims, support survivors, and raise awareness about LGBTQ+ rights. 

  • On June 28, 1969, the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York's Greenwich Village, was raided by police. But instead of responding with the routine compliance the NYPD expected, patrons and a growing crowd decided to fight back. The five days of rioting that ensued changed forever the face of gay and lesbian life.

  • LGBTQ History Month is celebrated in October because it coincides with National Coming Out Day (October 11th) and the anniversary of the first March on Washington for Gay Rights, which took place in October 1979, making it a significant month to highlight LGBTQ+ history and achievements; this designation was initiated by a Missouri high school teacher, Rodney Wilson, in 1994

  • Observed annually on October 11, National Coming Out Day honors the courage of LGBTQ+ individuals who choose to embrace their identity and live openly.

  • November 20th is the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), a day to honor and remember transgender people who have been murdered due to anti-transgender violence; some notable names on the list include: Rita Hester, Chanelle Pickett, Daniel Aston, Kelly Loving, Tiffany Banks, Semaj Billingslea, Mya "Regina" Allen, and Dede Ricks, among many others. 

LGBTQ+ Equality, Inclusion and Allyship

Tools for Equality and Inclusion, Human Rights Campaign

Pride Flags, Human Rights Campaign

The ABCs of LGBTQIA+ Michael Gold, New York Times

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, Youth.Gov

Guide to Being a Trans Ally, Straight for Equality

LGBTQ+ Jews, families, communities, Keshet

LGBTQ+ Care at Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook Medicine

LGBTQ+ Family-Building on Long Island, RMA NY Long Island

LGBTQ+ Curriculum, Education and School

“According to studies, students perceived the school environment as being safer when provided with LGBTQ-inclusive information in both academic subjects and health education. They also reported less victimization based on their sexual orientation in schools that teach an LGBTQ-inclusive academic curriculum.” American Bar Association, Bobbi M. Bittker “LGBTQ-Inclusive Curriculum as a Path to Better Public Health” June 5, 2022

“Curriculum is both a window and a mirror, both allowing students who are not LGBTQ+ to see the experiences of others and also providing a reflection for LGBTQ+ students. These efforts include incorporating LGBTQ+ history, reading books by LGBTQ+ authors, and ensuring sexual health curriculum is inclusive of all identities.” NYC Public Schools, LGBTQ+ Supports

“Curriculum can serve as a mirror when it reflects individuals and their experiences back to themselves.” GLSEN “DEVELOPING LGBTQ-INCLUSIVE CLASSROOM RESOURCES” 

“LGBTQ topics in elementary school classrooms are important to do for all children because we all live in a world with LGBTQ people.” AFT, By Jill M. Hermann-Wilmarth, Caitlin L. Ryan “Making Elementary School Classrooms LGBTQ-Inclusive” 

“The authors show how expanding the English language arts curriculum to include representations of LGBTQ people and themes will benefit all students, allowing them to participate in a truly inclusive classroom.” C.L. Ryan and J. M. Hermann-Wilmarth, Reading the Rainbow: LGBTQ Inclusive Instruction in the Elementary Classroom (New York: Teachers College Press, 2018).

“Teachers should “sprinkle” age-appropriate LGBTQ topics into every grade level, “Not just for the older grades because younger students definitely can handle it.” For younger kindergarten and primary school students, teachers could discuss family structures, such as some families that have two dads.” Pride and Less Prejudice, Isabella Liang “Teaching LGBTQ-inclusive Topics in the Classroom” “Kids in LGBTQ+ families deserve to see their lives reflected at school.”

Psychology Today, Elizabeth J. Meyer Ph.D. “Instruction About LGBTQ People in Elementary School Is Age-Appropriate 6 reasons why “don’t say gay” bills are wrong.” April 12, 2022

Creating a Safe, Supportive, and Affirming School Environment for Transgender and Gender Expansive Students: 2023 Legal Update and Best Practices, The State Education Department

BE THE RAINBOW ARTICLES

See Photos from First Annual Pride Walk in Port Washington PATCH Wednesday June 16, 2021https://patch.com/new-york/portwashington/see-photos-first-annual-pride-walk-port-washington

PALS is a woman and LGBTQ centered company that sells amazing mismatched socks. https://palssocks.rallyup.com/betherainbow/Campaign/Details?fbclid=IwAR1DlpO3Xd2Hr6n1MHR624sK6gCjdwDw0VRq0bDihJOZalQmBxpr34g2nws

Partnership with The Parent Resource Center’s Annual Teddy Bear Picnic https://www.facebook.com/parentresourcecenter/photos/a.10150156880728314/10158777297873314/?type=3

2nd Annual Pride Walk Comes to Port Washington June 11 PATCH June 10, 2022 https://patch.com/new-york/portwashington/2nd-annual-pride-walk-comes-port-washington-june-11?utm_source=share-mobile&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=share

Local Organization Hosts Pride Events in Port Throughout June Port Washington News June 9 2022 https://portwashington-news.com/local-organization-hosts-pride-events-in-port-throughout-june/

North Hempstead Hosts Pride Celebration at Town Hall Port Washington News July 13, 2022 https://portwashington-news.com/north-hempstead-hosts-pride-celebration-at-town-hall/

North Hempstead Hosts Pride Celebration at Town Hall The Island 360 June 30, 2022 https://theisland360.com/community-news/north-hempstead-hosts-pride-celebration-at-town-hall