Pride Month commemorates the years of struggle for civil rights and equal justice under the law for the LGBTQ community. June was designated Pride Month to pay homage to the Stonewall uprising in June 1969, after police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in New York City. The raid was followed by six days of protests and clashes, and the following year, the anniversary was marked by protests in large cities throughout the country. Today, Pride Parades and festivals draw millions of people.
While there has been tremendous progress over the years, LGBTQ advocates are still working toward a future without discrimination. Harvey Milk, who was the first openly gay elected official in the state of California, said “It takes no compromise to give people their rights … It takes no money to respect the individual.” I hope that this month and always, we remember that it is our actions and interactions that can create the change we want to see.
My best wishes,
Allan H. Friedman, M.D.
The Guy L. Odom Professor of Neurological Surgery
Neurosurgeon-in-Chief
Interim Chairman
Duke Department of Neurosurgery