LGBTQ Pride Month: Fact Sheet

LGBTQ Pride Month: Fact Sheet

LGBTQ Pride Month: Fact Sheet
October 17, 2022
Congressional Research Service
https://crsreports.congress.gov
R47281

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LGBTQ Pride Month: Fact Sheet

Contents
Background and History .................................................................................................................. 1
Legislation ....................................................................................................................................... 1
Sample Congressional Speeches and Recognitions ......................................................................... 2
Presidential Proclamations and Remarks ........................................................................................ 2
Statistics........................................................................................................................................... 2
Historical and Cultural Resources ................................................................................................... 3
Related CRS Reports ....................................................................................................................... 3

Contacts
Author Information .......................................................................................................................... 3

LGBTQ Pride Month: Fact Sheet

Introduction
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month, which is observed during
the month of June, celebrates the achievements of the LGBTQ community and recognizes the
historical and cultural contributions made by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer
individuals.
This guide is designed to assist congressional offices with their work related to LGBTQ Pride
Month. Resources include census and demographic data, CRS reports, presidential proclamations,
and cultural and historical resources.
Background and History
LGBTQ Pride Month is observed throughout the month of June to commemorate the Stonewall
Uprising, a landmark moment in LGBTQ history. On June 28, 1969, patrons of The Stonewall
Inn, a gay bar in Manhattan, resisted a police raid, igniting demonstrations and protests that
sparked the modern gay rights movement.1
Pride Month was first formally recognized on June 11, 1999, when President William J. Clinton
issued Proclamation 7203, recognizing June as “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.”2 On June 1,
2009, President Barack H. Obama expanded the commemorative month to include bisexual and
transgender Americans when he declared June “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride
Month.”3 On June 24, 2016, President Obama designated Stonewall National Monument,
America’s first national park site dedicated to LGBTQ history.4
Today, LGBTQ Pride Month celebrations commonly include parades, marches, parties, concerts,
and events across the nation.5 LGBTQ rainbow pride flags are also displayed prominently
throughout the month. Gilbert Baker, an Army veteran, artist, and gay rights activist, created the
rainbow flag in 1978 as a symbol of the diversity of the community.6
Legislation
The House and Senate have passed multiple resolutions recognizing LGBTQ Pride Month over
the years:
H.Res. 1198 (2022), Encouraging the celebration of the month of June as “LGBTQIA+ Pride
Month.”

1 The National Park Service, “Stonewall National Monument,” at https://www.nps.gov/places/stonewall-national-
monument.htm.
2 William J. Clinton, “Proclamation 7203—Gay and Lesbian Pride Month, 1999” June 11, 1999, Online by Gerhard
Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project at https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/226664.
3 Barack H. Obama, “Proclamation 8387—Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, 2009,” June 1, 2009,
Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/
node/286625.
4 The White House, “Presidential Proclamation – Establishment of the Stonewall National Monument,” June 24, 2016,
at https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/06/24/presidential-proclamation-establishment-
stonewall-national-monument.
5 U.S. Library of Congress, “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month,” at https://www.loc.gov/
lgbt-pride-month/about/.
6 The National Park Service, “Gilbert Baker,” at https://www.nps.gov/people/gilbert-baker.htm.
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LGBTQ Pride Month: Fact Sheet

S.Res. 652 (2022), A resolution recognizing June 2022 as “LGBTQ Pride Month.”
H.Res. 489 (2021), Encouraging the celebration of June as “LGBTQIA+ Pride Month.”
S.Res. 261 (2021), A resolution recognizing June 2021 as “LGBTQ Pride Month.”
H.Res. 1014 (2020), Encouraging the celebration of June as “LGBTQ Pride Month.”
S.Res. 627 (2020), A resolution recognizing June 2020 as “LGBTQ Pride Month.”
Sample Congressional Speeches and Recognitions
Some Members of Congress typically make floor statements, issue press releases, or enter
Extensions of Remarks into the Congressional Record to recognize federal holidays and
observances. The following are some recent LGBTQ Pride Month examples:
Representative Danny K. Davis, “In Celebration of June as National Pride Month,”
Congressional Record, daily edition, vol.168 (June 28, 2022), p. E676.
Representative Robin Kelly, “Fighting for the Rights of LGBTQ+ People,” Congressional
Record, daily edition, vol.168 (June 22, 2022), p. E676.
Representative Sanford D. Bishop Jr., “Commemorating LGBTQ Pride Month,” Congressional
Record, daily edition, vol.167 (June 22, 2021), p. E676.
Senator Patty Murray, “Pride Month,” Congressional Record, daily edition, vol.166 (June 30,
2020), p. S4028.
Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, “Fitzpatrick Recognizes LGBT Pride Month,” press release,
June 5, 2018.
Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, “LGBT Pride Month,” Congressional Record, daily edition,
vol.163 (June 12, 2017), p. H4836.
Presidential Proclamations and Remarks
One of the many uses of a presidential proclamation is to ceremoniously honor a group or call
attention to specific issues or events. Some recent statements commemorating LGBTQ Pride
Month from the Compilation of Presidential Documents are the following:
Presidential Proclamations—Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (2021-)
Presidential Proclamations—Donald J. Trump (2017-2021)
Presidential Proclamations—Barack H. Obama (2010-2017)
Presidential Proclamations—William J. Clinton (1994-2001)
Statistics
Numerous federal and private sources maintain statistics on the LGBTQ population. Some useful
data include
The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, “LGBT FAQs.”
U.S. Census Bureau, “LGBTQIA+ Pride Month: June 2022.” Stats for Stories, June 2022.
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LGBTQ Pride Month: Fact Sheet

Jeffrey M. Jones, “LGBT Identification in U.S. Ticks Up to 7.1%.” Gallup, Inc., February 22,
2022.
Historical and Cultural Resources
Numerous organizations provide information on the history and culture of LGBTQ Americans.
Some of these include the following:
National Archives, LGBTQ Pride Month. The National Archives is home to a vast collection of
documents from the U.S. government on issues of sexual identity and rights.
Library of Congress; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month. In recognition
of LGBTQ Pride Month, the Library of Congress has created a site that highlights events,
exhibits, collections, and educational materials related to LGBTQ Pride Month.
LGBTQ History in Government Documents. This guide highlights primary sources documenting
the U.S. federal government’s stance on issues related to the LGBT movement from the 1800s to
the present day.
National Park Service, Stonewall National Monument. The National Park Service features
historic properties listed in the National Register and National Park units “highlighting important
aspects of the LGBTQ experience in America.”
Related CRS Reports
CRS Report R43539, Commemorations in Congress: Options for Honoring Individuals, Groups,
and Events, coordinated by Jacob R. Straus. This report provides a discussion of the legislative
and nonlegislative commemorative options available to Congress.
CRS Report R44431, Commemorative Days, Weeks, and Months: Background and Current
Practice, by Jacob R. Straus and Jared C. Nagel. This report provides information on
commemorative legislation that recognizes a specific time period and discusses options for
Congress.

Author Information

Caitlin Curran

Reference and Digital Services Librarian

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LGBTQ Pride Month: Fact Sheet

Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan
shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and
under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other
than public understanding of information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in
connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not
subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in
its entirety without permission from CRS. However, as a CRS Report may include copyrighted images or
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