It’s July and we’re already in the second half of 2021. June was LGBTQ Pride Month. and we also celebrated the legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States. Since the holiday season is here already, now would be a perfect time to take a look at the complete list of every LGBTQ-related holiday and awareness days.
With this list, you can start marking your calendars and make note of any LGBTQ “holidays” you wish to celebrate. It’ll also help you stay updated.
January
Holocaust Remembrance Day – Held on the 27th of January each year, this is the day we honor all victims of the Nazi regime, including the gay men who were murdered in concentration camps.
February
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day – This takes place annually on February 7, with the goal of increasing HIV awareness, testing, treatment, and participation among African-American communities.
Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week – This event usually occurs a week after Valentine’s Day. People who are not romantically attracted to others are romantics. LGBT groups around the world host events during the week to raise awareness of aromanticism and show support for the aromantic community.
March
National GLBT Health Awareness Week – The National Coalition for LGBT Health organizes this annual event, which is held during the last week of March with the aim of promoting health and wellness among members of the LGBTQ community.
International Transgender Day of Visibility – The March 31 annual event celebrates transgender people and raises awareness about the various forms of discrimination they face around the world. Founded by transgender activist Rachel Crandall in 2009, the event has drawn millions of attendees since then.
April
Day of Silence – The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) holds its annual protest against bullying LGBT students and their supporters on April 17. Taking part in the day-long vow of silence signifies the silencing of LGBT students and allies.
Lesbian Visibility Day – April 26 is the day on which lesbians are celebrated, recognized, and brought to public attention. The National Coalition for LGBT Health originally organized it to raise awareness for lesbian rights.
May
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia – May 17th is a day to bring awareness to the violence and repression experienced by LGBT people worldwide.
Harvey Milk Day – 2010 marked the beginning of this event. The day is in remembrance of the assassinated LGBT rights activist and politician on his birthday, May 22. The day is officially celebrated in Milk’s hometown in California.
June
LGBT Pride Month – Although Pride celebrations are held all year long, June is usually renowned as Pride Month as a result of the Stonewall riots which broke out on June 28, 1969. In addition, same-sex marriage in the United States was legalized in June.
Pulse Night of Remembrance – Celebrates the 49 lives that were lost in the Pulse Nightclub shooting on June 12, 2016 in Orlando, Florida.
July
International Drag Day – It is held annually in July 16 to honor drag artists who display their creativity and contribute to the gay culture. It was created in 2009 by Adam Steward.
Non-Binary People’s Day – An annual event celebrating and bringing awareness to the LGBT+ community’s non-binary members. It is similar to International Men’s Day and International Women’s Day. It is celebrated on 14 July.
Non-Binary Awareness Week – This week is dedicated to those who do not always identify as a man or a woman, those who might identify as both a man and a woman, or even those who do not fit into any of those categories at all. This is the week that begins on the Sunday or Monday before Non-Binary People’s Day on 14 July.
August
For some reason, this is like a month off for LGBTQ celebrations.
September
Bisexuality Day – Since 1993, the bisexual community celebrates Bisexuality Day on September 23 to recognize and celebrate their sexuality, history, community, and culture.
October
LGBT History Month – First celebrated in October 1994, LGBT History Month has become an annual event. In 2009, President Barack Obama proclaimed it a national history month. A major goal of LGBT history and rights month is to enhance personal and public awareness about homosexuality and its rights. It also promotes tolerance and education.
National Coming Day – On October 11, the LGBTQ community observes an awareness day to encourage gay and lesbian people to come out to their loved ones as part of their personal political activism.
Matthew Shepard, a student at the University of Wyoming, died on October 12, 1998 after he was beaten, tortured, and left for dead near Laramie, Wyoming, on the night of October 6, 1998.
In order to lure Shepard, his attackers pretended to be gay and initially told the Police that they only wanted to rob him. Matthew Shepard’s death sparked a nationwide demonstration that sparked the passage of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Shepard’s ashes were interred at National Cathedral in Washington, DC, in October 2018.
International Pronouns Day – The International Pronouns Day began in 2018. It happens each year on the third Wednesday of October. Identifying with the pronouns that humans choose for themselves is fundamental to human dignity. The International Day of Pronouns is an annual international movement aimed at spreading respect, sharing, and educating about personal pronouns. As well as celebrating people’s multiple identities, this event aims to foster an environment of inclusion and diversity.
Spirit Day – It takes place on the third Thursday of October every year. It was created in 2010 in response to a series of bullying-related suicides involving gay students like Tyler Clementi. The movement was initially led by Canadian teenager Brittany McMillan with the support of GLAAD. Observers wear purple as a sign of support for LGBTQ youth.
Asexuality Awareness Week – The date usually falls between 20 and 26 October annually. This campaign aims to educate the public about asexual, demisexual, grey-asexual and aromantic experiences.
Intersex Awareness Day – This pays tribute to the first intersex protest that took place on October 26, 1996, outside the United States Pediatric Association national conference in Boston. On this day, grassroots activists across the globe initiate action to end shame, secrecy, and unwanted genital cosmetic surgeries on intersex children.
November
Intersex Day of Remembrance – On November 8, we celebrate the birth of French intersex memoirist Herculine Barbin. It serves as a means of raising awareness about issues facing intersex people.
Transgender Awareness Week- Traditionally celebrated in the second week of November, this event promotes awareness about transgender issues and gender non-conforming individuals.
Transgender Day of Remembrance – It is observed on November 20 and remembers those murdered due to transphobia. The day also brings attention to the violence against transgender people continuing into the present day. In memorial ceremonies, victims’ names are usually read out.
December
World AIDS Day – The event is on December 1. As part of the United Nations’ recognition of World AIDS Day in 1988, the day is observed to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS, as well as to remember those who have lost their lives to the disease.
Is there anything we missed? Please let us know if so and we can add it to the list.