MC Library is proud to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month, honoring the achievements and contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history. Here, you will explore the history, stories, and struggles of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as receive several book and video recommendations. You will also find helpful research databases and resources from MC, as well as local, and national sources, all focused on celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride and promoting understanding and inclusion.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQ+) Pride Month is celebrated each June in honor of the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, the tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. Though same-sex marriage was legalized in all 50 states by the Supreme Court in 2015, the community still faces significant challenges. A record-breaking 540 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in US state legislatures in 2023 alone, and 64 countries still have laws that criminalize homosexuality. For this reason, Pride Month serves as both a celebration of diverse identities and a reminder that the LGBTQ+ community and its allies will continue to be vocal advocates for equal rights.
In 2021, the Progress Pride Flag was evolved further to include the intersex community. This is the most up-to-date LGBTQ+ flag.
Source: https://www.hrc.org/resources/lgbtq-pride-flags
Created in 1978. The original Pride Flag designed by Gilbert Baker by request of activist Harvey Milk to symbolize gay pride.
Hot Pink = Sex
Red = Life
Orange = Healing
Yellow = Sunlight
Green = Nature
Turquoise = Magic & Art
Indigo = Serenity
Violet = spirit of LGBTQ+ people
Source: https://www.hrc.org/resources/lgbtq-pride-flags
Due to high demand and manufacturing issues following Harvey Milk's assassination, the hot pink stripe of the original Pride flag was removed. Gilbert Baker made the design choice to remove the turquoise stripe, thus the six color pride flag had been representing the LGBTQ+ community for over 40 years.
Source: https://www.hrc.org/resources/lgbtq-pride-flags
Commissioned by the Philadelphia City Council due to the desire to incorporate queer communities of color into the flag, the Philadelphia Pride flag was unveiled at the city's pride event in 2017.
The addition of the black and brown stripes symbolize communities of color and the contributions they have made to the movement.
Source: https://www.hrc.org/resources/lgbtq-pride-flags
Created by US Navy Veteran Monica Helms and debuted in 2000 at Phoenix Pride. The flag symbolizes the diversity of the trans community and the rights they fight for.
Blue = 'traditional boy' colors
Pink = 'traditional girl' colors
White = people who are intersex, transitioning, or have an undefined gender
Source: https://www.hrc.org/resources/lgbtq-pride-flags
Created to represent individuals who have an unidentifiable gender, are gender neutral, or don't have a gender.
Black & White = absence of gender
Gray = semi-genderless people
Green = non-binary people
Source: https://www.hrc.org/resources/lgbtq-pride-flags
Created in 2010 following a contest held by the Asexual Visibility and Education Network. Those who are asexual do not hold sexual attraction to any gender.
Black = asexuality
Gray = gray-asexuality & demisexuality
White = non-asexual partners and allies
Purple = community
Source: https://www.hrc.org/resources/lgbtq-pride-flags
Created in 1998 to bring awareness to the bisexual community by Michael Page.
Pink = attraction to the same gender
Purple = attraction to two genders
Blue = attraction to the opposite gender
Source: https://www.hrc.org/resources/lgbtq-pride-flags
Developed in 2013 by JJ Poole, the flag represents those whose gender identity and/or gender expression fluctuates.
Pink = femininity
Blue = masculinity
White = lack of gender
Black = all genders
Purple = combination of masculinity and femininity
Source: https://www.hrc.org/resources/lgbtq-pride-flags
Created in 2011 by Marilyn Roxie, the flag represents those who reject static categories of gender.
Lavender = androgyny and other queer identities
White = agender people
Green = people who fall outside of the binary
Source: https://www.hrc.org/resources/lgbtq-pride-flags
Developed in 2013 by Morgan Carpenter, the co-chair of Intersex Human Rights Australia. Intersex are those who are born with differences in reproductive anatomy and sex traits.
Source: https://www.hrc.org/resources/lgbtq-pride-flags
Iteration of the flag currently used since 2018. The different shades within the flag represent different types of femininity.
Source: https://www.hrc.org/resources/lgbtq-pride-flags
Created back in 2014 to represent individuals who don't identify either either binary gender or within the binary.
Yellow = gender outside of the binary
White = those with multiple genders; all genders
Purple = those who fall between male/female binary
Black = No gender
Source: https://www.hrc.org/resources/lgbtq-pride-flags
Created in 2010 to bring awareness to the Pansexual community. Those who are pansexual can be either emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to people of any gender though not all at once or the same.
Pink = attraction to women
Blue = attraction to men
Yellow = everyone else in-between and beyond the gender binary
Source: https://www.hrc.org/resources/lgbtq-pride-flags
Created in 1995 by Jim Evans to represent all polyamorous people.
Blue = openness and honesty
Red = love and passion
Black = Solidarity with individuals who hide their polyamorous relationships
Pi Sign = Infinite options of partners
Source: https://www.hrc.org/resources/lgbtq-pride-flags
Created in 2012 for people attracted to multiple genders.
Blue = attraction to men
Pink = attraction to women
Green = attraction outside of the binary
Source: https://www.hrc.org/resources/lgbtq-pride-flags
Evolved from the Philadelphia Pride Flag to also represent the Trans community by Daniel Quaser.
Source: https://www.hrc.org/resources/lgbtq-pride-flags
Rockville Pride
Date: June 1st, 2025
Time: 2pm - 5pm
Location: Rockville Town Square
131 Gibbs Street
Rockville, MD 20850
Annapolis Pride Parade & Festival
Date: June 1st, 2025
Time: 12pm - 5pm
Location:
Parade - Annapolis City Dock
Festival - Maryland Hall
Contact: TBA
WorldPride Washington, DC 2025
Washington, DC will host WorldPride 2025!
Date: May 23rd - June 8th, 2025
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Contact: TBA
Silver Spring Pride in the Plaza
Date: June 29th, 2025
Time: 12pm - 8pm
Location:
Veterans Plaza | Downtown Silver Spring
1 Veterans Plaza,
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Each year, Montgomery College's Board of Trustees designates national and state of Maryland awareness days and months for MC to celebrate. To acknowledge and celebrate diversity, MC Library creates online guides and library displays for each awareness day or month designated by the Board.
View our online service hours.
Want to learn more? View our other events and special topics guides:
