Pride Month is an opportunity for visibility and community. However, it is more than a time to celebrate the love, joy, and accomplishments of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) community. It is essential to highlight the important policies and barriers that people who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community still face. Across the nation, cities host pride celebrations across the nation to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York, celebrate community, and advocate for equal rights. 

LGBTQ+ Historical Figures

Michael Sam 

Michael Sam was the first openly gay man to enter the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted into the league in 2014, leaving an enduring mark on the sports world and society. His unwavering courage and resilience shattered barriers, challenging stereotypes and championing inclusion. During Pride Month, Sam’s trailblazing journey symbolizes acceptance, diversity, and the importance of embracing one’s true identity. Michael Sam has inspired countless individuals by fearlessly stepping onto the football field as his authentic self. He reaffirms the principles of equality and celebrates the beauty of individuality. His legacy continues to resonate. In fact, it reminds us that progress is achieved by embracing and honoring every individual’s unique story. 

Josephine Baker

Freda Josephine Baker (Josephine Baker) was a bisexual entertainer, spy, and activist who used her charisma and celebrity to fight racism and fascism. After immigrating from the United States to France, Josephine performed all over Europe. She was the first Black bisexual woman to appear in a major motion picture in 1927. At the onset of World War II, Josephine set aside her costumes and pearls and joined the French resistance. Surprisingly, she collected intelligence on high-ranking Axis officials for the French military. She then earned herself several medals of honor after the war.

Later, Josephine lent her voice to the Civil Rights Movement after experiencing racial equality in Europe and recognizing the dire need for it in America. She even spoke alongside Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. at the March on Washington in 1963. Josephine Baker is a symbol of Black and bisexual excellence. Therefore we celebrate Pride Month; we should emulate her example. As a result, this can be done using our talents and voices to create a freer, more equitable world. 

Public Knowledge® (PK) proudly recognizes the history and significance of the LGBTQ+ community and celebrates the progress we have made as a society while also recognizing there is still work to be done. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are not initiatives but a way of life at PK. It is one of our three core values, inclusion. We value and seek to create a more diverse workforce and are committed to creating a safe and inclusive workplace that highlights the diversity in all of us and our experiences.