June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month: History, meaning explained
MANILA, Philippines — June is Pride Month in many parts of the world, including the Philippines, and it is time to celebrate and recognize the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community.
Why is the LGBTQ+ Pride Month being held in June?
It is to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, which took place in June and was the tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. It took place on June 28, 1969, when the police raided Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York’s Greenwich Village.
This time, instead of responding with compliance to the police directions, the crowd decided to fight back and a series of spontaneous riots and protests occurred. The gay rights movement was born, and it completely changed the way people looked at the LGBTQ+ community forever.
Initially, the last Sunday of June was celebrated as Gay Pride Day, but through the years the day-long "holiday" extended to a month-long series of festivities, which include gay parades, workshops and concerts.
Now, it is official. The whole month of June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month, and the community takes this time to remember members who have been victims of hate crimes, bask in the achievements of other members of the community, and celebrate their own uniqueness as individuals.
Gay parades serve as their venue for self-expression; workshops and symposia as ways of sharing themselves and their talents, and parties as the chance to mingle and get to know other people better.
A lot of LGBTQ+-related activities are happening during Pride Month. Now, the positive shines through, as the community proudly weaves its rainbow colors.
Levi’s launches new Pride collection inspired by LGBTQIA+ rodeo culture
For Pride 2024, the Levi’s brand is celebrating queer joy through self-expression with a collection inspired by LGBTQIA+ rodeo culture from the ’70s to today. Accompanied by blissful and inspiring storytelling told by the Pride 2024 cast, the Levi’s brand is encouraging LGBTQIA+ community members and allies to celebrate queer joy and the power of self-expression.
Western wear is part of the Levi’s brand’s DNA, and the Pride 2024 collection takes inspiration from the queer “Rainbow Rodeos” that originated in Nevada in the ‘70s. Pulling graphics and influences from vintage pieces and archival posters then adding some glitz – rhinestones, copper thread, marbled hardware, gold-coated denim and more – the collection includes an extensive assortment of tops, bottoms and accessories. From the Cinched Shortstack Tee and Cropped Muscle Tank to the Liberation Western Trucker and Patchwork Vest, Western-inspired embroidery and rainbow coloring give the collection a cohesive and euphoric rodeo look. Featuring reversible styles and head-to-toe fits, this is a collection designed to mix, match and make all your own.
The Pride 2024 cast includes country musician Orville Peck; Mattise Andrews, a model and makeup artist; Bronze Avery, a musician, creative and founder of Ruxwood, an intimates brand; Violet Chachki, adrag queen (and winner of Season 7 of RuPaul's Drag Race); Paris Helena Elyte, a beauty photographer; and Bailey Salisbury and Sean Monaghan, the founders of Stud Country, a line-dancing community.
Over the years, the brand has consistently supported LGBTQIA+ rights and issues. From employees marching in early San Francisco Pride Parades to being one of the first companies to endorse the Equality Act, Levi Strauss & Co. has proudly and consistently voiced its support for LGBTQIA+ community. And of course, 501 jeans have been worn for decades as symbols of protests, solidarity, and self-expression.
As an extension of its support for the LGBTQIA+ community, the brand is also donating $100,000 to Outright International, a global organization working to advance human rights for LGBTQIA+ people all over the world. The brand also participated in the Pride PH Festival 2024: Love Laban 2 on June 22 in Quezon City Memorial Circle. The brand's booth featured various activities, including pride shirt customization, a bull-riding challenge, and meet and greet with Marina Summers.
The Pride 2024 collection is available for purchase on Levi.com.ph and in select Levi’s boutiques nationwide.
Wear your Pride with Avon’s new makeup collection
Avon, a leading no.1 direct-selling and beauty democracy brand that is inclusive and open to all, is proud to announce its continuous commitment to inclusion and advocacy with the launch of its Pride Collection.
This June, the brand continues to challenge stereotypes and champion self-expression, no matter how you identify, with the Pride Collection. The make-up collection gives the LGBTQIA+ community the power to enjoy the transformative effects of Avon’s products at prices that are truly accessible.
The brand's limited-edition Pride Collection features the Supershock Volume Loader Mascara declared as the brand’s holy grail, and an expanded lineup of the Glimmerstick Eyeliner in four new shades.
The Supershock Volume Loader Mascara is enriched with vitamin E for healthier-looking lashes. Its new helix brush ensures a flawless application, delivering a water-resistant, smudge-proof, flake-proof, and clump-free formula from root to tip, adding a fierce touch to every lash with its intense black color, packaged in vibrant limited edition Pride packaging.
Glimmerstick Eyeliner Pride Collection has vibrant hues and long-lasting formula. More than just a cosmetic flourish, these creamy eyeliners are infused with nourishing rosehip oil and vitamin E. Available in four limited edition shades — Azure Blue, Daring Citrine, Emerald Glow, and Cosmic Obsession — they are designed to achieve a bold and playful look that will last all day. The new formula has rich pigments and multifaceted pearls for its most intense color yet.
The brand has consistently celebrated pride, individuality, and inclusivity through its engagements over the years. By supporting communities and maintaining a presence wherever possible, Avon upholds its commitment to social progress. This Pride Month and beyond, Avon continues to encourage everyone to embrace their power and true selves, launching a series of initiatives to recognize the impact that LGBTQIA+ individuals have had on history.
Community engagements and partnerships with No Boys Allowed, an event that provides a safe space for queer women and allies alike, and drag bars such as O Bar and Rampa. The partnership with No Boys Allowed shows how Avon is true to its essence of empowering all women, while its engagements with drag bars highlight the brand’s message of collectively shaping the world with Intimate Apparel.
To further show support to the community, the sponsors products to LGBTQIA+ organizations such as Home for the Golden Gays, Bahaghari, Pantay, and LoveYourself—providing useful body care, apparel, make-up, fragrance, and skincare items for its members to appreciate.
Lastly, the brand launches the online makeup contest Search for Mx. Pride 2024. More than just a competition, the search is a platform for aspiring and celebrity makeup artists to showcase their artistry and creativity. The honorific “Mx.” is used by those who do not want to be identified by their gender, proving Avon’s advocacy of self-expression through beauty, however they identify.
In 2021, the brand launched “Limitless,” a gender-neutral intimate apparel collection designed with breathable, quick-dry materials and a universal fit. This collection embraced inclusivity—allowing everyone to express themselves authentically. In the following year, Avon collaborated with cartoonist Hulyen to create a three-part comic series that illustrates "Beauty for All," emphasizing beauty is for everyone, not just women, highlighting Avon's commitment to being a democratic beauty brand. Then most recently, last year, Avon staged the highly successful Everybody for Every Body, the first-ever all-queer underwear fashion show celebrating diversity and inclusion in the Philippines.
“We have been supporting women in their progression since our inception. Our commitment sits alongside our belief in inclusion for all groups, regardless of gender and sexuality. This entire month of June, we are mounting several Pride initiatives to celebrate and invite everyone to embrace their true colors,” says Marion Limlengco, Avon’s Head of Communications for Philippines.
The brand continues to create positive change for communities everywhere with the Pride Collection as each Supershock Volume Loader Mascara purchase will come with a P10 donation to the brand's partner support groups in creating a better world for all. The Pride Collection is exclusively at www.avonshop.ph, through Avon representatives, Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop.
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