Building a Society Without Discrimination
“If we desire a society without discrimination, then we must not discriminate against anyone in the process of building this society.”
Those words from Civil Rights leader Bayard Rustin take on renewed meaning this June as we celebrate Pride Month. It’s a time to celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of the LGBTQ+ community, whose members have helped shape defining aspects of American society. At the same time, Pride Month invites us to steady our focus on the discrimination, legislative railings, and systemic barriers to safety, dignity and equality this community persistently faces.
Throughout American history, numerous LGBTQ+ individuals have played a pivotal role in building a better, more inclusive society.
People like Bayard Rustin, one of the key architects of the Civil Rights Movement and organizers of the historic March on Washington in 1963, but whose role was downplayed for years because of his sexuality.
People like Pauli Murray, a legal scholar and activist whose groundbreaking legal work helped dismantle segregation and laid the foundation for gender equality, yet whose identity as a nonbinary Black person was overlooked and misunderstood.
People like Sylvia Rivera, a Latina trans activist who fought fiercely for trans inclusion in the gay liberation movement, even when she was marginalized by that movement and fought for inclusion of transgender people in New York’s 2002 Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act.
Their contributions — and the discrimination they faced — serve as reminders that Pride Month is a time of both celebration and remembrance of all leaders of change.
As part of our 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, First 5 LA is dedicated to working with our partners, systems and communities to support all children and their families across race, ethnicity, class, sexual and gender identity and diversity of family structures. We are proud to join in celebrating Pride Month and the rich diversity of collaboration embraced to build a future where every child is born healthy and thrives in nurturing, safe, and loving communities.
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This year, no fewer than five major Pride celebrations are happening across the region, each one with its own unique theme. LA Pride rallies around “Pride Marches On” and Long Beach Pride highlights “The Power of Community,” while Pomona Valley Pride celebrates “Unifying Voices, Celebrating Diversity,” and San Fernando Valley Pride embraces “Rooted in Resistance.” All together, they reflect the incredible diversity of Los Angeles — geographically, culturally, and in terms of the lived experiences and identities that comprise the LGBTQ+ community.
To help your family join in on the celebration, we’ve put together a list of family-friendly activities and events taking place throughout L.A. County this month. Happy Pride!
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- PRIDE at the Park, 60 LA County Parks locations, select Thursdays thru Saturdays and times, throughout June
- Frogtown Art Walk: Frogtown Pride, Friday, June 6, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Los Angeles County Public Library: Rainbow Parenting & Family Program: Music with Iwalani, Saturday, June 7, 11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
- Los Angeles County Public Library: Rainbow Parenting & Family Program: Baila Baila Bilingual Show, Saturday, June 7, 11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
- The Wallis: Pride Family Festival, Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m.
- Adams Square Mini Park: Queer Family Picnic in the Park, Saturday, June 7, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Kidspace Children Museum: Celebrating Pride, Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Hermosa Beach Pier: Hermosa Beach Pride, Wednesday – Sunday, June 11–15, all day
- Aquarium of the Pacific: Pride Night at the Aquarium, Friday, June 13, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Third Street Promenade: Pride on the Promenade, Saturday, June 21, 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Los Angeles Public Library: Rainbow Scratch Art, Tuesday, June 24, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Van Nuys Civic Center: San Fernando Valley Pride, Saturday, June 28, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
