June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month

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An image of a rainbow flag.
June is LBGTQ+ Pride Month, which is celebrated annually.

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month, a time when our nation and community highlight, celebrate, learn about, and support the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community.

HFC is a Welcoming College, and is proud to be a place where everyone can be safe to learn and grow in a respectful way.

History of LGBTQ+ Pride Month

The month-long commemoration recognizes the impact that LGBTQ+ individuals have had on equality and civil rights locally, nationally, and globally. LGBTQ+ Pride Month aims to increase understanding and reduce violence and discrimination toward LGBTQ+ people.

LGBTQ+ Pride Month commemorates the Stonewall Uprising, which occurred at the end of June 1969. The Stonewall Uprising was a series of demonstrations by members of the LGBTQ+ community in response to a police raid at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village in New York City.

Police raids on bars that served the LGBTQ+ community were commonplace in the 1960s. However, the NYPD quickly lost control of the situation at the Stonewall Inn, where tensions between LGBTQ patrons and the police erupted into protests that ran for several days and nights. Greenwich Village residents formed activist groups to concentrate on establishing places for LGBTQ+ individuals to be open about their sexual orientation without fear of being arrested.

On June 28, 1970, the first pride marches occurred in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Several years after the riots, LGBTQ+ rights organizations were founded across the nation. In 2016, the Stonewall National Monument is the first U.S. National Monument dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights and history.

“Pride Month began as an uprising, and now serves to not only celebrate the LGBTQ+ community but to honor those who fought and continue to fight for the right for everyone to be their true, authentic selves. Pride festivals and events happening this month in the Metro Detroit area are open to everyone. They are a safe and fun environment for people to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and to learn and get connected to various community resources,” said SAFE@HFC Chair Dr. Laura Willman.

LGBTQ+ Pride Month indicates a commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion and leadership. HFC’s commitment to the LGBTQ+ community has been publicly recognized through the Campus Pride Index, a national tool that evaluates the inclusivity and accessibility of higher education institutions for LGBTQ+ students.

“HFC is the only community college in Michigan to be listed on the Campus Pride Index’s website,” said Willman. “I’m very proud of that. It demonstrates that we at HFC are setting a precedent that we are an inclusive campus where everyone is welcome and safe.”

President Russ Kavalhuna provides resources and information about Pride Month.

Pride Month resources and inspiration

There are many resources on the HFC campus to support LGBTQ+ students and employees.

  • The Sexuality and Gender Acceptance Club (SAGA) is a student organization whose mission is to support students in their lives as LGBTQ+ individuals and allies. Contact Dr. Chelsea Lonsdale at calonsdale@hfcc.edu.

  • SAFE@HFC is a campus organization comprising faculty and staff who are LGBTQ+ allies and community members who are spreading awareness on campus, providing support, and connecting students and employees to resources. To learn more about employee resources and getting involved, contact safe@hfcc.edu.

  • Campus Safety provides various assistance, safety, and crime prevention services to the community. Call Campus Safety at 9911 from a campus phone or 313-845-9630 from an outside phone. Campus Safety can also be reached through your HFC Reach Out App and by email at campussafety@hfcc.edu.

  • Counseling Center: Counselors can help you improve your ability to make healthy decisions, provide an objective viewpoint for whatever you’re experiencing, and offer coping mechanisms. Contact Dr. Brenda Hildreth at 313-845-9611 or bjhildreth@hfcc.edu.

  • The Office of Student Conduct and Title IX: The Title IX Office supports our community in creating and sustaining an environment that is free from all forms of misconduct and discrimination. Contact Munira Kassim at 313-845-6301 or mmkassim@hfcc.edu.

  • Ally training helps individuals support members of the LGBTQ+ community.