June is Pride Month, a month of the year when we celebrate the trials and tribulations members of the LGBTQ+ community went through and are still going through in order to achieve equal rights.

Throughout the month of June, there are many festivities that go on in different locations in the world. From parties to festivals to parades, the celebrations never stop. I had the opportunity to go to one of the biggest Pride parades, in this nation's capital, D.C. and it was amazing!

I had been to Pride before but never one this big. This party expanded throughout all of Dupont Circle, and down multiple blocks. Stores had Pride displays in their windows and everyone had a smile on their face. Pride is a place where people of all sizes, shapes, ethnicities, religions, age, and gender are accepted and loved.

You couldn't walk three feet without someone complimenting you or smiling at you. To say it was spectacular would be an understatement.

Gina Maccia

However, the history of Pride is not quite as bright. Pride began in 1969 as a riot on police following the events at the Stonewall Inn. The Stonewall Inn was a gay bar that police raided. They started arresting people for being gay until violence broke out. Patrons of the bar started fighting back and led to violence, protests, riots and eventually, Pride.

Pride was a public display hoping to shed light on the unfairness of society towards the LGBTQ+ community.

Christina Hittel

If you go to pride, here's what you should expect to see. Glitter, everywhere. It's been about a week and I'm still finding glitter on me and on my belongings. Rainbows! Of course, the rainbow flag is the symbol of gay pride, so it was located on almost every shirt, bag, flag, etc. Confetti was all over the ground, in people's hair and raining down from the sky. Of course, there was love, the environment of Pride is one filled with such community and acceptance that you can't help but feel the love in the air. Old couples, new couples, and people who weren't in a relationship all were family during pride.

@GreenBoxShop / Instagram

I know I will be attending the Capital Pride Parade again next year, along with other major Pride festivals and parades! The LGBTQ+ community is accepting of all people. They have managed to take a moment in history shrouded in darkness, hate and prejudice and built it into joy, love and acceptance. For that, I am truly thankful.