Pride Month 2025

This month, rainbow flags fill our streets once again, from New York City to Nairobi, as millions celebrate Pride Month. But beyond the music, glitter, and parades lies something deeper: a movement that has endured decades of resistance, evolved through generations, and continues to serve as a lifeline for LGBTQ+ people around the world. Pride today is more than a celebration - it’s a statement of resilience, a remembrance of those who came before, and a demand for our rights still being denied. 

As many of us already know, Pride’s roots trace back to the Stonewall Riots of 1969, when LGBTQ+ people - led in part by trans women of color like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera - fought back against police raids at the Stonewall Inn (still standing and going strong!) in NYC. That uprising sparked the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement and inspired the first Pride marches. These were acts of protest, not parties. Pride began as a public declaration of identity and resistance at a time when living openly could cost you your job, your home, or your life. This history reminds us that the freedom to gather, express, and celebrate wasn’t freely given, it was fought for. 

In 2025, Pride is also a joyful celebration! It offers visibility to those who have often been erased - trans, bi, non-binary, disabled, Black and Brown queer people - and gives space for the LGBTQ+ community to come together in solidarity. Us therapists know firsthand the inner & outer revolutions feeling seen and safe offer people, so for those that cannot pay for private practice sessions, attending Pride signifies the first time individuals can afford this experience. Festivals, marches, and community events bring a sense of belonging that’s hard to find elsewhere. Media representation has grown, with LGBTQ+ stories told more authentically in film, TV, and books. 

However, this increase in visibility has not come without complications. As corporations flood Pride events with rainbow logos and ad campaigns, many criticize the commercialization of the movement. Known as "rainbow capitalism," this trend often prioritizes profit over genuine support, sometimes ignoring the struggles faced by the very communities being marketed to. 

Despite progress, Pride in 2025 is still deeply political. In the U.S., dozens of states have introduced or passed laws targeting LGBTQ+ rights including bans on gender-affirming healthcare for trans youth, restrictions on drag performances, and limitations on inclusive education. Globally, many countries still criminalize same-sex relationships or restrict freedom of expression for LGBTQ+ people. In those regions, Pride events are met with threats, arrests, or even violence. For these communities, Pride remains an act of defiance; a reminder that visibility can be revolutionary. 

The LGBTQ+ community is not a monolith, and intersectionality matters more than ever in 2025. Queer people of color, disabled individuals, immigrants, and those in poverty often face multiple forms of oppression that aren't addressed by mainstream LGBTQ+ activism. Because of

this, I imagine the future of Pride to be even more inclusive and justice-centered; if not, we risk leaving our most vulnerable behind. 

Fortunately, a new generation is stepping up to redefine what it means to be queer. Gen Z and Gen Alpha are embracing fluid identities, challenging traditional gender norms, and demanding broader representation. They’re bringing Pride back to its activist roots: organizing mutual aid, advocating for policy change, and building inclusive, grassroots communities that reflect the full diversity of the queer experience. 

Pride in 2025 is a powerful blend of remembrance, resistance, and celebration. It honors the past while confronting the present and imagining a freer future. It isn’t just about waving flags or throwing parties, it’s about fighting for a world where everyone, regardless of who they love or how they identify, can live openly and safely. In a time of both progress and backlash, Pride remains essential, not just for LGBTQ+ people, but for anyone who believes in dignity, justice, and love. 

If you want to get in touch to talk more about all this, I’m an out-and-proud gay male therapist open to any & all conversations orbiting queer life! 

HAPPY PRIDE Y’ALL, 

Michael Buckhout, LSW