Disability and Pride Month 2024

Disability and Pride Month 2024

 

Image Description: The LGBTQ+ Pride flag. Rainbow colors are on the right side of the flag and a triangle of black, brown, light blue, light pink, and white stripes are on the left side. In the triangle is the intersex flag, colored yellow with a purple circle. 

 

Each year, June is dedicated to LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Pride Month is a celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other sexualities and gender identities. Pride started in 1969 in Greenwich Village, New York. After years of being harassed and arrested for going into a gay bar by the police, members of the LGBTQ+ rioted in protest to express their frustrations. The next days and weeks following the events, the LGBTQ+ community took to the streets in protest, marking as the very first Pride March.  

 

According to a 2020 study by the Human Resource Center, LGBTQ+ adults are most likely to report having a disability. About one-quarter (24%) of cisgender (not transgender) LGBTQ+ adults are disabled.  A third (35%) of transgender adults are disabled.  

 

Being LGBTQ+ and disabled of itself can have its challenges. Being part of both communities can be difficult. According to Movement Advancement Project, 8.8% of disabled LGBTQ+ people are unemployed. 26% of LGBTQ+ disabled students have been bullied or harassed at school. 

 

Pride Month is important for every LGBTQ+ person. It brings different people from different backgrounds together to share their experiences and celebrate who they are.  

 

There are many ways to include disabled LGBTQ+ and allies in the celebration. An example is to make Pride accessible for those with physical disabilities by making room for wheelchair and walker users. Additionally, it’s important to have quiet places for people with sensory issues. While Pride events try to accommodate for people with disabilities, it’s a good reminder for able-bodied or neurotypical attendees to be supportive allies to the disabled community.  

 

When I first came out as bisexual, it was during Pride Month. It was the same year that I was diagnosed with autism. I remember that year being very overwhelming and confusing when it came to my identity. As I got older, I made more discoveries about myself and realized I am also non-binary.  

 

This year’s Pride Month is different because I got to network with LGBTQ+ disabled folks in Best Buddies. Now I don’t feel alone with my identity. I am very excited to meet the people I networked with at the Best Buddies Leadership Conference in July.  

 

Happy Pride Month! 

 
In friendship, 

Michelle Yoshimine 

YLC Member, California