CLEVELAND — June 1st marks the beginning of Pride Month, which honors the LGBTQ community.
In Cleveland's case, it's "Pride Rocks" at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and while people are there to celebrate, the meaning goes deeper than that.
"Pride is also a time where we come together as a community and celebrate what we've accomplished and to also resist the onslaught of bills that are being introduced that target our community," activist Jorid Luke said.
Some of the "onslaught" of pending legislation in Ohio that largely impacts the transgender community includes House Bill 6, which would ban transgender female athletes from sports. Plus, House Bill 8, called "The Parents Bill of Rights," that would require educators to notify parents if a student comes out to them.
"Pride is a celebration, but Pride is also born of resistance and that is what's so important about Pride. Not just in June, but all year round," said James Knapp with TransOhio.
There are other pieces of legislation that the LGBTQ community is focusing on.
Ohio House Bill 68 would ban gender affirming care for transgender youth, like hormones and puberty blockers. And House Bill 183, also known as "The Bathroom Bill," would require students from kindergarten to college to use the bathroom and locker room that matches their assigned sex at birth, even if they identify as non-binary or transgender.
So to many people out celebrating Thursday, Pride signifies progress that's been made. But they are also reflecting on and advocating for what the future could look like for the LGBTQ community.
"Pride is not just a moment, it's not just this month, it's a movement. It's a year-round celebration and a year-round movement to advocate for our community," added Matthew Graves with the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland.
