Under our rainbow banner of inclusivity, our community celebrates a vibrant calendar of LGBTQIA+ days of awareness and recognition. These occasions (which are sometimes weeks and months!) aren’t just confetti and parades: they are potent reminders of our ongoing fight for equality, opportunities to educate and uplift, and joyful moments of community pride.
From the electrifying pulse of Pride Month to the reflective hush of Transgender Day of Remembrance, each event is a chapter in the ongoing story of LGBTQIA+ experiences.
We hope this list encourages you to join others to explore the rich experience of celebrating and honoring our LGBTQIA+ community. Together, we raise awareness, amplify our voices, and paint the world with vibrant our stories.
Please note: we are always updating this list and are aware it is primarily U.S.-centric. If you feel there’s something we overlooked, please do contact us and let us know.
January
February
February 7th – National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day – First observed in 1999, this observance day acknowledges how HIV disproportionately affects Black people.
March
March – Bisexual Health Awareness Month – Bisexual Health Awareness Month is celebrated annually in March. It aims to raise awareness about the health and well-being of the bisexual community. During BHAM we can find ways to: highlight the unique health needs and challenges faced by bisexual individuals, promote inclusivity and understanding of bisexual identities, and advocate for equitable access to healthcare and resources for bisexual people.
March 31st – Transgender Day of Visibility – Celebrating the lives and achievements of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals and promotes their visibility and understanding.
April
April 8th – International Asexuality Day – Raising awareness about asexuality, a spectrum of identities defined by little or no sexual attraction.
Third Friday of April – The Day of Silence – A student-led national event in the United States raising awareness about the bullying and harassment faced by LGBTQ+ students. Participants take a vow of silence to represent the silencing effect of homophobic and transphobic bullying on LGBTQ+ individuals. The event also aims to prevent anti-LGBTQ harassment in schools and promote safe schools for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
May
First Sunday In May – International Family Equality Day – By celebrating International Family Equality Day (IFED), we raise awareness among politicians and the general public about the need for equal treatment and recognition for all families, regardless of the sexual orientation or gender identity of their family’s members.
May 17th – International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia – Raising awareness about discrimination and violence faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals globally and promote their equal rights.
May 22nd – Harvey Milk Day – Celebrating the life and legacy of Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States, who was assassinated in 1978.
May 24th – Pansexual and Panromantic Awareness and Visibility Day – Increasing the visibility of pansexual identities within the LGBTQ+ community, and to combat stigma and prejudice towards pansexual and panromantic people. This is important to achieve diversity and inclusivity throughout workplaces, service delivery and to improve the health and wellbeing of pansexual communities.
June
Pride Month – A multifaceted, monthlong experience, woven with celebration, reflection, and activism. Pride Month is a time to embrace the vibrancy and resilience of our LGBTQIA+ community, honor our past, and work towards a future where everyone can live freely and authentically. Whether you’re a member of the community or an ally, Pride Month invites all to join in the festivities, amplify voices, and contribute to making the world a more inclusive and vibrant place for all.
June 12th – Pulse Remembrance Day – Honoring the victims and survivors of the 2016 mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, that targeted the LGBTQIA+ community.
June 28th – Stonewall Riots Anniversary
On June 28th, 1969, a police raid on a gay bar in New York City called The Stonewall Inn, sparking a series of spontaneous protests that ignited the modern LGBTQIA+ rights movement. This anniversary is commemorated with marches, rallies, and educational events to honor the history of the movement and remember those who fought for its progress.
June 30th – Transgender Day of Visibility within the Faith Community – Recognizing the experiences of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals within faith communities, promoting greater inclusion and understanding.
June 30th – Queer Youth of Faith Day – Held annually on June 30th – the last day of PRIDE month — is a time for queer youth to celebrate their faith and take pride in ALL of who they are. Queer Youth of Faith Day is also a time of prayer; for people across all faiths to come together and pray for LGBTQ+ youth.
July
August
August 19th – National Black Pride Day – Celebrating the history, culture, and resilience of our Black LGBTQIA+ communities, acknowledging the specific challenges we face due to intersecting biases.
September
October
LGBTQIA+ History Month Events: Throughout October, organizations and institutions host educational events, lectures, film screenings, and exhibits to raise awareness about the rich history and diverse experiences of our LGBTQIA+ community.
National Latinx Pride Month – Throughout October, our Latinx LGBTQIA+ community celebrates, highlighting the unique experiences and contributions to the broader movement.
October 8th – International Lesbian Day – Celebrating the lives and experiences of lesbian individuals, raising awareness of our unique challenges and contributions to our LGBTQIA+ community.
October 11th – National Coming Out Day – Encouraging LGBTQIA+ individuals to come out to our friends, family, and colleagues, promoting honesty, self-acceptance, and visibility.
October 26th – Intersex Awareness Day – Raising awareness for intersex individuals in our community, who are born with sex characteristics that don’t fit typical binary definitions of “male” or “female.”
November
November 13th-19th – Transgender Awareness Week – Taking action to bring attention to the trans community by educating the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and advancing advocacy around issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the transgender community.
November 20th – Transgender Day of Remembrance
Honoring the memory of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals who have lost their lives to violence or discrimination.
December
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