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It’s the first full week of Pride Month 2016 and the LGBTQ+ community is off to an exciting start. On May 31st, President Obama proclaimed June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month, calling upon the country to “eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people.” SAGE is grateful for this special recognition of a longtime tradition that’s brought the LGBTQ+ community together.

During Pride Month with celebrations nationwide, the LGBTQ+ community and its allies remember the historic Stonewall Riots that happened in New York City in 1969. This year is particularly special, as we mark the first anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Obergefell marriage decision.

Join SAGE as we recognize the Heroes of Pride — LGBTQ+ trailblazers who have fought long and hard to make a better life for all of us — and reaffirm our love for friends, family and each other. If you’re in the New York area, please join us for these upcoming Pride events, and visit our SAGENet Affiliate websites to find out how you can celebrate in a city near you.

Brooklyn Pride: Saturday, June 11
Harlem Pride: Saturday, June 25
Manhattan Pride: Sunday, June 26
Bronx Pride: Saturday, July 16

If you missed our booth at Queens Pride on June 5, here’s a photo of SAGE staff spreading the love:

Other important tributes in June:

On Saturday, June 4, to kick off the summer season, SAGE held its 24th Annual Celebration in the Pines, honoring Eric Sawyer, Linda Gottlieb, Marc Cote & Jay Henry. See photos on Facebook.

On Sunday, June 5, for HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day, we paid tribute on social to LGBTQ+ elders living with HIV. Today more than half of the 1.2 million people living with HIV in the U.S. are over the age of 50. While HIV has become more like managing a chronic disease, many long-term survivors are facing new crises that affect their physical, mental and financial well-being. Follow the conversation and show your support on social media with #‎LongTermSurvivors.

On Friday, June 10, the Chicago-based National Board Members of SAGE will host its annual SAGE & Friends reception, where SAGE will honor U.S. Congressman Mike Quigley, co-chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Caucus, for his advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ+ rights and his support of issues impacting older individuals. SAGE will also recognize Phyllis Johnson and Torlene “Toi” Williams for their pioneering Affinity Community Services’ Trailblazers, and for their grassroots advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ+ older adults in Chicago.

Also this month, SAGE is celebrating our LGBTQ+ elders of color with a series of powerful yet understated photographs of unsung Black LGBTQ+ ‘legends,’ now on display through August 12 at the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art in New York. Read more and see images from the project here.

In the words of President Obama:

This journey, led by forward-thinking individuals who have set their sights on reaching for a brighter tomorrow, has never been easy or smooth.  The fight for dignity and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ+) people is reflected in the tireless dedication of advocates and allies who strive to forge a more inclusive society.  They have spurred sweeping progress by changing hearts and minds and by demanding equal treatment — under our laws, from our courts, and in our politics.  This month, we recognize all they have done to bring us to this point, and we recommit to bending the arc of our Nation toward justice.

Stay tuned this month for Pride 2016 updates and follow the SAGE blog as we celebrate LGBTQ+ Heroes Of Pride in June and beyond. Follow and share on social with hash tag #HeroesOfPride.