On June 28, 1969, the Stonewall uprising—led by transgender women of color like Marsha P. Johnson and Zazu Nova and a courageous group of LGBTQ+ people pushed back against state-sanctioned violence by police—sparked the modern LGBTQ+ movement and demonstrated that deep, long-lasting social change often comes from solidarity and protest. One year later, the first Pride Parade was held in New York City to commemorate the uprising, and it has grown into an international movement that we continue to celebrate every year.
Huntington Hospital flag raising on June 1, 2021. From left to right: Camila Camaleon (President, SGV LGBTQ Center), Armando Gonzalez (Huntington Hospital Board Member), Debbie Williams (Huntington Hospital and PPPSGV Board Member), Sheri Bonner (President and CEO, PPPSGV), Victor Gordo (Mayor, City of Pasadena), Pamela Weatherspoon (VP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Huntington Hospital), Christian Port (Senior Manager of Business Development, PPPSGV).
Pride is best celebrated when actions are taken to push us forward.
Here are a few of the actions Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley (PPPSGV) was a part of:
- We kicked the month off at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena for their first ever raising of the Progress Pride Flag.
- I spoke at the Pride Flag Ceremony at the Pasadena City Hall, where the city for the first time in history proclaimed June 2021 Pride Month. This year, seven cities in the San Gabriel Valley issued their first ever proclamations acknowledging June as Pride Month.
- All five of our PPPSGV health centers in Alhambra, Baldwin Park, Glendora, Highland Park and Pasadena proudly raised the Progress Pride flag in solidarity.
- A pronouns campaign was launched at our health centers, aimed to educating folks on the importance of pronouns. If you’re near one of our health centers, pick up a pronoun button!
I am so proud to have joined in these historic celebrations as a leader here at PPPSGV and as Vice President of the San Gabriel Valley LGBTQ Center. But most importantly, as an out and proud Pasadena resident who has fought tirelessly for health care, education, and social services that honor and respect the thousands of LGBTQ+ residents that live and work in our community.
This June, and every day of the year, we honor the beauty and power of LGBTQ+ communities. PPPSGV’s mission is to help build a world in which every person — regardless of their race, income, insurance, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, abilities, or immigration status — can access expert, compassionate sexual and reproductive health care, information, and education without shame or judgement. We believe every person deserves access to the health care they need. And we are doing our part to get us there.
As health care providers, educators, and advocates PPPSGV is committed to doing all we can to make people in our communities feel safe, comfortable, and respected. Everyone should have the freedom to live an authentic life. LGBTQ+ people are Planned Parenthood patients, staff, supporters, and community. We support you. We care for you. We stand with you in unity and celebration today, and every day.
In solidarity,
Christian Port
Tags: pride month, pasadena