In 1970, one year after the Stonewall Riots in Greenwich Village, New York, June was designated Gay Pride Month. June is a time to recognize all the positive influence the LGBTQ has had around the world, and society has come a long way in the last 50 years. But not far enough.
Shelter’s Emergency Group Homes serve youth ages 11 – 17 who are homeless due to physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Some have run away because of abuse; others have been locked out of their homes. There are a disproportionate number of children who are homeless from the LGBTQ community because their families have rejected them for their sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.
Children in the LGBTQ community have a high rate of physical and emotional abuse from peers and family, are subject to bias and violence in school, and in both public and private gatherings. As a result, they are more likely to attempt suicide, use illegal drugs, develop anxiety and depression, and have negative health outcomes.
June 1st , Buffalo Grove proudly held it’s first Gay Pride Parade. One cherubic four-year-old girl was marching in her rainbow tutu passing candy out to kids. When asked what the parade was all about, she responded with a happy grin, “When mommy married daddy, she had to marry a boy. Now she can marry whoever she wants to!”
That little girl is our future and has the advantage of not having to fight negative stereotypes. She will grow up believing in everyone’s right to love whomever they love and accepting others regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. When our society has learned what she has learned, all children will have brighter futures.