Every June, streets around the world come alive with rainbow flags and vibrant parades in celebration of Pride Month. While the occasion has been celebrated all across the United States and Canada for many years now, the origins of Pride stretch back further than the festive atmosphere might suggest. The concept of Pride Month finds its roots in the Stonewall Riots, a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history.  These weren't just riots - they were powerful demonstrations for gay liberation that erupted over several days following a police raid on June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn. This popular gay bar in New York City's Greenwich Village served as a haven for LGBTQ+ people who faced discrimination and harassment within other establishments.  The police raid, which was not uncommon at the time, sparked a violent confrontation between patrons and police.  The Stonewall Riots are considered a turning point in the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, as they ignited a fire of activism and resistance. The first Pride marches were held in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago the following year, and in the years since Pride celebrations have spread across the globe, evolving from protests to parades, festivals, and educational events. Pride Month has become an annual celebration of LGBTQ+ identity and a call for continued equality.

Today, Pride Month is a time to honor the history of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, as well as to reflect on the ongoing issues faced by the community and celebrate LGBTQ+ identity and a call for continued equality. Behind every Pride symbol lies a meaning of great significance. At PinMart, each of our carefully curated and quality crafted LGBTQ+ Pride-themed pins tells the story of triumph for the LGBTQ+ community in the fight for equality. As we celebrate Pride Month, we spotlight our dazzling collection of LGBTQ+ Pride pins and explore their inspiring meanings within this blog!

The classic Rainbow Flag is the most notable and easily recognized symbol of the LGBTQ+ community. It symbolizes Gay Pride, dating back to 1978 when it was designed by artist and drag queen Gilbert Barker at the request of Harvey Milk, a pioneer for gay rights and the first openly gay U.S. elected official. Baker envisioned the flag as a vibrant symbol of LGBTQ+ Pride, a bright beacon of visibility that encouraged the community to embrace their identities openly and with joy.

In 1998, Michael Page designed the Bisexual Pride Flag, a powerful symbol for the bisexual community, much like the iconic rainbow flag for the gay community. Drawing inspiration from the "Bi-Angles," another longstanding symbol of the bisexual community, Page similarly translated its colors into a flag with three horizontal stripes: pink for same-sex attraction, blue for opposite-sex attraction, and a unifying purple band in the middle representing attraction to more than one gender.

Created in 1999 by Monica Helms, the Transgender Flag is a powerful symbol of Pride and unity within the transgender community, representing people who identify as a gender that is different than their assigned sex at birth. Helms' design characterized the transgender community through its colors, each used to signify meaning. The blue tones represent the traditional color associated with masculinity, while the pink tones reflect femininity. The center white stripe signifies those who identify outside the gender binary, are intersex, or are in transition. This unifying design highlights the spectrum of transgender identities and celebrates the journeys of individuals within it.

Born from a horrific past, the downward pointing Pink Triangle was used as a symbol of shame placed onto the shirts of gay men in Nazi concentration camps to further dehumanize homosexual individuals. The symbol was later reclaimed in the 1970s as a powerful symbol of protest and has since blossomed into a famous emblem within the LGBTQ+ community, representing both Pride and resistance. The Pink Triangle now stands as a defiant reminder of the persecution endured, but also a symbol of the ongoing fight for self-identity and a testament to never repeat the dark past.

More than just a heartwarming sentiment, In June 2015, "Love Wins" became more than just a general expression of love overcoming obstacles. Following the Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage in the United States, the hashtag #LoveWins exploded on social media, celebrating not just same-sex marriage but also a massive leap towards nationwide acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. It has since become a battle cry to fight for the right to love and be loved freely.

These colorful Pronoun Pins are an excellent way to tell the world how you prefer to be addressed, making introductions and interactions smoother for everyone.  Embrace inclusivity and spark conversations about gender identity with a unique pin that reflects you!Our all-encompassing LGBTQ Lapel Pin, backed by the Rainbow Flag, embodies the community's core values of equal rights, acceptance, and love for all. Whether you identify as a member of the community or simply wish to spread the message of inclusivity, this high-quality pin expresses your support loud and proud!

Show Your Pride!

Pride goes beyond the pins themselves; it's about embracing self-expression in all forms! Our pride-themed lapel pins are the perfect adornment for jackets, clothing, hats, bags, and anywhere you can imagine putting a pin! These can be the ideal accessory to wear your Pride at any festival, rally, celebration, or everyday wear. If you're looking for a customized way to spread your proud message for a festival or community event, look no further than our custom pins! Our talented team of artists provides free art-proofing to make your pin dreams a reality so that your message can be accurately represented and shared.

Wearing a pin isn't the only way to show your support this Pride Month. Going to your city's local Pride Parade, festival, or community event can be a great way to immerse in the diversity and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community. Take your allyship a step further by researching local businesses or organizations that advocate for LGBTQ+ causes to support through patronizing their products or services. You can also consider donating directly to organizations working to achieve equal rights and representation for LGBTQ+ people. 

Pride Month is a vibrant celebration of identity, community, and the unwavering resilience of the LGBTQ+ community. Our Pride pins highlight its history and milestones, all while embracing the beautiful spectrum of love and diversity. However you choose to celebrate, we at PinMart wish you a Happy Pride Month! Click here to view all of PinMart's Pride pins to inspire your celebration!

References:

https://www.history.com/topics/gay-rights/the-stonewall-riots 

https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/lgbtq-flags.htm 

https://www.history.com/news/pink-triangle-nazi-concentration-camps