Each June, Pride Month celebrations amplify LGBTQ+ voices, showcase LGBTQ+ culture, and demonstrate support for LGBTQ+ rights.

The first Pride march was held on June 28, 1970, in New York City, during what was recognized as Gay Pride Week. The march commemorated the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, which marked a tipping point in LGBTQ+ activists’ fight to outlaw discriminatory laws and practices against the LGBTQ+ community. Read this Library of Congress article to learn more about the Stonewall Uprising.

Activists have organized LGBT+ “Pride” protests and celebrations in June for decades. On June 11, 1999, President Bill Clinton issued the first-ever proclamation declaring June to be Gay and Lesbian Pride Month. This year, President Joe Biden signed a proclamation declaring June 2022 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, And Intersex Pride Month and called for Congress to pass the Equality Act.

EEI and our member companies are committed to advancing racial and social justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). We are committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and to providing equal opportunities to people of all backgrounds in the communities we serve. Recently, several EEI member companies were recognized as some of the “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign and some of “America’s Best Employers for Diversity” by Forbes.

Throughout the month of June, EEI’s member companies will show their support for the LBGTQ+ community and offer events and workshops to honor and recognize the work of LGBTQ+ community members. Check out this Wakelet to see our member companies’ Pride Month social media posts.