Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

LGBTQ+ Pride Month Flag

NRCS Caribbean Celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride Month!

Each year, Americans observe LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer) Pride Month in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan. This commemoration recognizes the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals have had on history locally and nationally.

The Stonewall riots were a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. In the United States the last Sunday in June was initially celebrated as “Gay Pride Day,” but the actual day was flexible. In major cities across the nation the “day” soon grew to encompass a month-long series of events. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBTQI+ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS.

This year, USDA commemorates our 20th Pride Observance, “A Bounty of Pride.” This theme speaks to our momentum to advance LGBTQI+ equity and inclusion while recognizing that progress only comes as a result of our actions. We have a bounty of achievements to be proud of and a bounty still worth fighting for. By deeply integrating equity in all hiring, decision-making, policy-making, and more, USDA is committed to removing barriers and building a workforce more representative of America.

We kicked off our celebration of LGBTQI+ Pride Month on June 1st with a flag raising ceremony at USDA headquarters - check out the YouTube video HERE!

Quick Facts

Puerto Rico Pride flag

Population numbers for the LGBTQI+ community are very difficult to track. Some people choose not to report their sexuality in surveys and censuses, while others may deny their orientation for religious or family reasons. The statistics provided are for those who self-identify as being part of the LGBTQI+ community.

According to national aggregate data from 2015-2017 (Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law), at least 10 million (4.5%) of adults in the United States identify themselves as LGBTQI+. Additionally, of the self-identifying LGBTQI+ population:

  • 42% are male and 58% are female.
  • Washington, DC has the highest self-identifying LGBTQI+ percentage of its population (9.8%)
  • North Dakota has the lowest self-identifying LGBTQI+ population (2.7%)
  • 1,012,000 same sex couple households lived in the U.S. in 2019 (U.S. Census)
  • Same-sex marriage is banned in 13 of the 50 United States (Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas).

Please support the many activities taking place around the Nation in commemoration of LGBTQI+ Pride Month and the many contributions LGBTQI+ Americans have made to the U.S. and global conservation.

More Information

Contacts

< back to Caribbean Civil Rights page