Pride: A Protest & A Celebration of Our Shared Humanity

Pride Month offers us a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate the diverse identities that shape our world. Pride Month is more than parades and rainbows; it is a deeply personal and collective act of resistance, resilience, and profound love. This Pride Month, we honour the progress made in advancing LGBTQIA+ rights, and we reaffirm our commitment to those still fighting for the most basic human dignity — the right to live, love and be seen.

While Pride is often seen as a time for celebration, we must remain mindful of its roots. Pride began as a powerful act of resistance, born out of the bravery of queer and trans individuals who confronted injustice, police brutality, discrimination, oppression, and the denial of fundamental human rights at the Stonewall Inn in New York in 1969. That act of rebellion, led by iconic figures such as Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, was not a party, but an impassioned demand for dignity, visibility, and the right to exist unapologetically. 

Too often, LGBTQIA+ visibility is framed as a threat to traditional values or the status quo. But let us be clear – Pride is NOT an attack on anyone’s identity or beliefs. It is not about exclusion or confrontation. Pride is an affirmation, a declaration that queer people exist, that we matter, that we belong. Pride is about equality, ensuring that all people, regardless of who they are or whom they love, are treated with the same dignity, respect, and humanity. To celebrate Pride is to celebrate the human spirit, the universal longing to be seen, heard, and loved.

Pride remains as important as ever today. Here in Trinidad & Tobago, and across the Caribbean, LGBTQIA+ people continue to face grave discrimination, violence and stigma. For many queer people, simply existing openly is a courageous act. We cannot forget that behind every rainbow flag is someone who has endured marginalisation, bullying or rejection, often from the very institutions meant to protect them: families, schools, workplaces, faith communities.

This Pride Month is not a typical one; it comes at a time of heightened threats to human rights around the world. Rising authoritarianism, transphobia, homophobia, and attacks on bodily autonomy remind us that the fight is far from over. Here in Trinidad & Tobago and the wider Caribbean, LGBTQIA+ individuals, particularly youth, persistently face heightened discrimination, violence, stigma, antiquated laws, damaging rhetoric, and harmful societal norms. Lives are at risk, and visibility is vital. Pride is not a threat; it is an affirmation of self, a celebration of love, and a fight for justice. We must stand together, committed to the principles of diversity, equality, and inclusivity.  

Pride is not only about remembrance — it is a promise to continue the work. Let this month ignite a deeper commitment to standing up against bullying, discrimination, and injustice in all its forms. Support queer youth. Create safe spaces. Use your voice to uplift and protect others. There’s still so much to fight for, but even more to hope for. Together, we can build a world where every young person, no matter their identity, feels empowered to live their truth without fear. 

This Pride Month, take pride – and take action.