June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month
June is nationally recognized as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. This is a time to celebrate, learn about, and support the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community locally and nationally.
HFC is a Welcoming College. The College welcomes everyone, including all students, faculty, and staff who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community or who are active allies of the community.
HFC is also proud to be a place where everyone can be safe to learn and grow in a respectful way, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
HFC’s goal is to provide a safe environment for all students, free from intimidation and discrimination, and with an open and welcoming stance toward all students, staff, faculty, and visitors. HFC prohibits and will take prompt action against discrimination, harassment, and violence.
All members of the HFC community are responsible for understanding and adhering to HFC’s standards of behavior.
History of LGBTQ+ Pride Month
June recognizes the impact that LGBTQ+ individuals have had on equality and civil rights locally, nationally, and globally. LGBTQ+ Pride Month aims to increase understanding of and eliminate violence and discrimination.
LGBTQ+ Pride Month commemorates the Stonewall Demonstrations, which occurred at the end of June in 1969. The Stonewall Demonstrations were a response by members of the LGBTQ+ community to a police raid at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village in New York City. This raid was one of many that had taken place over a period of years, and the community recognized that the targeting and discriminatory behavior by the NYPD needed to end.
Police raids on gay-friendly bars were all too common in the 1960s. The NYPD raided the Stonewall Inn, and tensions between residents and the police erupted into protests that continued for several days and nights. Greenwich Village residents formed activist groups to concentrate efforts on establishing places for members of the LGBTQ+ community to be open about their sexual orientation without fear of being arrested or harassed.
On June 28, 1970, the first gay pride marches occurred in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Several years after the demonstrations, gay rights organizations were founded across the nation. In 2016, the Stonewall National Monument was erected. It is the first U.S. National Monument dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights and history.
“Pride Month is a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and to honor those who fought, and continue to fight, for the rights of everyone to be their true, authentic selves,” said SAFE@HFC chair Dr. Laura Willman. “Pride events will be happening this month and throughout the summer, and are open to everyone. These events are a great time to connect with your local community, learn from others, and spread joy.”
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 the club's advisor, 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 assistance, safety, and crime prevention services to the community. Call Campus Safety at 313-845-9630 from an outside phone or 9630 from a campus phone. You may also contact Campus Safety for non-emergency questions 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 team supports our community in creating and sustaining an environment that is free from all forms of sexual misconduct and discrimination. Contact:
- HFC Title IX Coordinator Munira Kassim at 313-845-6301 or mmkassim@hfcc.edu
- HFC Employee Deputy Title IX Coordinator Raya York at 313-845-9698 or rdyork@hfcc.edu
- HFC Student Deputy Title IX Coordinator Amani Musaibli at 313-845-6315 or aamusaibli24128@hfcc.edu
Ally training helps individuals support members of the LGBTQ+ community.