Happy Pride Month, dear Pandas! Traditionally, June is dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and the freedom for everyone to be themselves and to remind the world of the importance of equality, dignity, tolerance, and respect. And just like every year, the internet is buzzing with funny memes, posts, tweets, and comments about Pride Month.
Bored Panda has collected some of the most hilarious and insightful memes that will make you not just laugh but also think about the deeper social commentary (companies that rainbow-up their logos the moment June starts just to pretend that they care about human rights all year long, we’re looking at you). Scroll down, upvote your fave memes, let us know in the comments which ones you loved the most and why, and let us know what your plans for Pride Month are going to be.
Entertainment, pop culture, and lifestyle expert Mike Sington from Lost Angeles shared with Bored Panda what Pride Month is like on the West Coast of the US. "Pride Month in California is a big deal, and every city and town, large and small, celebrates it in one way or another," he said.
According to Mike, who's known as Hollywood's Ultimate Insider, California is a true haven for the LGBTQ+ community. It's not just about general acceptance and tolerance in society, though; it's about the laws in place as well. "California is one of the most liberal and forward-thinking states, so LGBTQ rights are protected in California by law much more so than in many other states," he told Bored Panda.
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Just because someone is gay, that doesn't mean that their fabulous. I'm sure many of them are as grey, drab and miserable as the rest of us straight folk.
Mike noted that celebrities, well-known brands, and corporations showing support for the LGBTQ+ community all have a "big impact" on the road to greater acceptance and equality. He also believes that most people expressing support for the community are being genuine. "I believe the more people see and experience acceptance around them, especially from names they trust, the more likely they are to experience acceptance themselves," the expert said.
"I’d hate to think anyone is pretending to be supportive of the LGBTQ community for personal gain, in fact, I just don’t think it happens all that much at all. The vast majority of people expressing support legitimately care about the cause. If not, they’d be called out quickly, by a community that works together and knows how to mobilize. It simply wouldn’t be worth the risk to feign support."
There was some good news for Americans on Tuesday, June 1, as the President of the United States, Joe Biden, issued a presidential proclamation officially recognizing June as Pride Month. Biden vowed to fight for full equality for the LGBTQ+ community and to codify this into law.
According to The New York Times, Biden’s Pride proclamation stands in stark contrast to former Republican President Donald Trump’s (in)actions in 2020. Last year, Trump ignored Pride Month and didn’t even acknowledge it with a presidential tweet. Meanwhile, embassies overseas were prohibited from flying the rainbow Pride flag, too.
“After four years of relentless attacks on L.G.B.T.Q.+ rights, the Biden-Harris administration has taken historic actions to accelerate the march toward full L.G.B.T.Q.+ equality,” the White House declared on Tuesday.
To be fair, Biden’s own views on gay rights evolved over the decades and decades that he spent in politics. He wasn’t always a staunch supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. For instance, in 1996, he voted for an act that blocked the recognition of same-sex marriages on a federal level. In 2012, as vice-president, Biden was already endorsing same-sex marriage and is even credited for urging then-President Barack Obama to express support as well.
Now, Biden has fully embraced the necessity to ensure equality for all of those living in the United States. For instance, he consulted LGBTQ+ activists about policy recommendations during the presidential transition, as he was coming into office, which shows that he’s about taking action, not just about making promises.
Im from lithuania and im ashamed. Good thing the mayor of Vilnius said he will make sure the Rainbow will be the same again.
@YoChicken Straight month is literally every other month, I don't think you should complain or else our army might decide to rise
Companies : *put rainbow colours on the same things as usual. Sell them at a higher price. Make more money and get a good reputation.
YOU GUYS- it's talking about their kitchens, as in, gay people are welcome and they won't discriminate against people they hire because of their sexuality, they just phrased it really badly. Also it might not even be true. So.
Am I the only one who finds this humorous? Don't get me wrong, I don't think it's needed by any means, but come on.... Penis flavoured gay away???? Rofl, I'm dying!!!
Don't treat me special because I'm gay, don't treat me badly because I'm gay, just treat me as a human being and with the kindness you'd want for yourself.
You got it, friend.
I believe Pope Francis said something similar. Gay people are actual people and should be treated with respect?!? *le gasp*
Am I allowed to not care about you being gay...?
Absolutely.
🦊 Gladly, there is enough disgust in the world right now. I'd feel better if we can all treat each other with kindness and respect for each other. 🖖
I think the vast majority do and the ones that don't is their Karma. But we don't need this pushed down our throats for a hole month. Pun definitely intended. A whole month dedicated to the scamdemic and how this should never ever be repeated would be the only thing I would accept.
Unfortunately people will not treat others with kindness just because they are not gay, bad, whatever................
It's better than nothing I think. Probably because I love rainbows tho
Have you been accused of cultural appropriation for that yet? I got nailed last year and this year and I was like, "I like rainbows! WTF?"
My gay friends cringe and hate gay pride month. I see them as Dave, Mike, Dawn and Claire (not real names) and they see me as Boris (again not real name) They despise the rainbow because it is caused by the natural refraction of light through a prismatic source and not sexual attraction. They hate gay people who say "How do you know if you haven't tried it?" and wish corporations would stop drawing attention to it. Fix homophobia by proper education and let the gays have a normal life. And I agree with them. A lot of gay people who joined the parades because of June will be the proud recipients of homophobic hate mail in July despite everyone knowing they were gay in the first place. What they would prefer is a weekend of a gay event to raise awareness and understanding rather than a month of ramming it down peoples throats with nothing to show for it
I agree. A lot of schools including mine have 'gay organizations' which does not make people who are LGBTQ+ feel valued or normal, in fact it makes us feel like we are something for people too see, to put on display. It's shoved down our throats that straight people UndERsTAnD but what you're doing is making being not straight abnormal, which in turn makes it harder for me to come out too people as they might treat me differently. I think it's ok to joke about it, but in the same way you would joke about a straight person.
Going on 20 years ago (damn that makes me feel old) we had an organization called Common Ground at my university. It was open to anyone gay, straight or otherwise. And it was exactly as the name implied: a place to come together and seek commonality and understanding. I was exploring my sexuality at the time and learning to love and accept myself, so this organization was crucial for me. Plus I got to meet some really fun people. I'm looking at you crossdressing Bert. 😘
I'm glad you found this wonderful group 20 years ago. I wish that society had reached this point now, but it hasn't. I remember when my dear dear friend told me she was a lesbian. She came from a conservative evangelical Christain family where both parents were ministers. The only way she felt safe telling them was in a letter. After reading it her father folded it up and said "She's our daughter. We're always going to love her and she'll always be a part of this family." Complete, unconditional acceptance and welcoming of her girlfriend as one of the family. When she told me I could tell she was nervous, like I would stop being her friend. I asked her if she now felt secure and confident within herself. (She had had so many struggles) The answer was yes. Are you happy? The answer was yes. What more could I hope for her than to be happy? I told her that's all I wanted for her. Friends forever. Toronto has hosted World Pride. Total blast. And one helluva parade that year!
Yeah. I love pride but I also just want people to realize it's just one thing that really doesn't matter so it shouldn't be treated as bizzare or defining whatever.
Yeah, I don't like the corporations taking advantage of it. But I'm a lesbian, and I think pride is fun!
Don't treat me special because I'm gay, don't treat me badly because I'm gay, just treat me as a human being and with the kindness you'd want for yourself.
You got it, friend.
I believe Pope Francis said something similar. Gay people are actual people and should be treated with respect?!? *le gasp*
Am I allowed to not care about you being gay...?
Absolutely.
🦊 Gladly, there is enough disgust in the world right now. I'd feel better if we can all treat each other with kindness and respect for each other. 🖖
I think the vast majority do and the ones that don't is their Karma. But we don't need this pushed down our throats for a hole month. Pun definitely intended. A whole month dedicated to the scamdemic and how this should never ever be repeated would be the only thing I would accept.
Unfortunately people will not treat others with kindness just because they are not gay, bad, whatever................
It's better than nothing I think. Probably because I love rainbows tho
Have you been accused of cultural appropriation for that yet? I got nailed last year and this year and I was like, "I like rainbows! WTF?"
My gay friends cringe and hate gay pride month. I see them as Dave, Mike, Dawn and Claire (not real names) and they see me as Boris (again not real name) They despise the rainbow because it is caused by the natural refraction of light through a prismatic source and not sexual attraction. They hate gay people who say "How do you know if you haven't tried it?" and wish corporations would stop drawing attention to it. Fix homophobia by proper education and let the gays have a normal life. And I agree with them. A lot of gay people who joined the parades because of June will be the proud recipients of homophobic hate mail in July despite everyone knowing they were gay in the first place. What they would prefer is a weekend of a gay event to raise awareness and understanding rather than a month of ramming it down peoples throats with nothing to show for it
I agree. A lot of schools including mine have 'gay organizations' which does not make people who are LGBTQ+ feel valued or normal, in fact it makes us feel like we are something for people too see, to put on display. It's shoved down our throats that straight people UndERsTAnD but what you're doing is making being not straight abnormal, which in turn makes it harder for me to come out too people as they might treat me differently. I think it's ok to joke about it, but in the same way you would joke about a straight person.
Going on 20 years ago (damn that makes me feel old) we had an organization called Common Ground at my university. It was open to anyone gay, straight or otherwise. And it was exactly as the name implied: a place to come together and seek commonality and understanding. I was exploring my sexuality at the time and learning to love and accept myself, so this organization was crucial for me. Plus I got to meet some really fun people. I'm looking at you crossdressing Bert. 😘
I'm glad you found this wonderful group 20 years ago. I wish that society had reached this point now, but it hasn't. I remember when my dear dear friend told me she was a lesbian. She came from a conservative evangelical Christain family where both parents were ministers. The only way she felt safe telling them was in a letter. After reading it her father folded it up and said "She's our daughter. We're always going to love her and she'll always be a part of this family." Complete, unconditional acceptance and welcoming of her girlfriend as one of the family. When she told me I could tell she was nervous, like I would stop being her friend. I asked her if she now felt secure and confident within herself. (She had had so many struggles) The answer was yes. Are you happy? The answer was yes. What more could I hope for her than to be happy? I told her that's all I wanted for her. Friends forever. Toronto has hosted World Pride. Total blast. And one helluva parade that year!
Yeah. I love pride but I also just want people to realize it's just one thing that really doesn't matter so it shouldn't be treated as bizzare or defining whatever.
Yeah, I don't like the corporations taking advantage of it. But I'm a lesbian, and I think pride is fun!