It’s June and for members of the LGBTQ community, their families, friends, and allies, it’s a time of remembrance, commemoration, and celebration. It’s a time of year when we recognize the sweeping impact the LGBTQ community has had on history in the U.S. and around the globe. June is Pride Month! Some of the most significant contributions to our society and our history were by members of the LGBTQ community. From Alexander the Great, Leonardo DaVinci and Michelangelo, to Sally Ride, Anderson Cooper and Ellen DeGeneres, LGBTQ people have given us art, culture, literature and science, and played an integral part in our civilization. But it’s been a long road to liberation for the LGBTQ community. For centuries they were shamed, persecuted and criminalized. The first movement in this country hadn’t even begun until 1924 when Henry Gerber, a German immigrant, founded the first documented gay rights organization in the United States, the “Society for Human Rights.” In 1925, police raids caused the group to disband. Over the next several decades, advances were slow. The ‘60’s arrived, a period of counterculture and the civil rights movement, but didn’t bring any real movement for the gay community until late in the decade. It was the uprising at the Stonewall Inn in NYC on June 28^th, 1969, that became the tipping point for the movement. The gay bar in Greenwich Village was raided that night by police, only instead of capitulating, the patrons fought back beginning a riot that would last six days. Those riots turned the tide and real progress was on the horizon. A year later the first pride assemblies took place. On June 28^th, 1970, marking the first anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, demonstrations were held in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Labeled “Christopher Street Liberation Day” in NY, a march began at the Stonewall Inn and covered 51 blocks, ending in Central Park. It was the very first pride parade. This year marks the 50^th anniversary of that first march, and today LGBTQ Pride draws millions of people out from all around the world each year to a month-long celebration. Typically, celebrations include pride parades, marches, parties, concerts, and educational workshops. Rainbow flags are flown in towns and cities across the globe. Also a time for reflection, memorials are held for members of the LGBTQ community who have tragically lost their lives to either hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The LGBTQ movement has made incredible progress, most of it in recent years. In 2015 a Supreme Court decision made same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states, and in 2017 the Court administered rulings that made adoption by same-sex couples legal in all 50 states. But for as far as they’ve come, LGBTQ people still face violence, inequality, and in some countries torture or execution because of whom they are or whom they love. This month, take a moment to remember all the LGBTQ community has contributed. Reflect on what they have lost, what there is left to gain, and celebrate!  

It’s been a really, really, really long spring, hasn’t it? And who among us can’t use a break right about now; especially from our homes?  Not only have we been stuck inside, but also stuck working from home and educating our children at home. That’s a lot of time in one place and cabin fever is taking its toll. But just in the nick of time, summer is here. Desperately needed warm weather, sunshine, and fresh air will be around for the next few months allowing us a happy escape from the confines of our four walls. And outside activity has the added bonus of being a safe place to enjoy. With kids out of school (and possibly no camp or organized activities), there will likely be a lot of outdoor activity ahead. For many people it also means a great time for vacation. But what will that look like this year? While some Americans may be reluctant to vacation due to economic uncertainty, fears of virus transmission in crowds and closed spaces, (including planes, trains, and hotel rooms), others are desperate to break out and feel some semblance of normalcy. And though this summer’s vacation may not be what they had hoped for or planned, it will be a change from the monotony of these past few months. So what can you do while adhering to the boundaries of COVID and still have fun? Though many doors are closed right now, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a summer trip with your family. It’s just a moment for creativity, for considering alternatives, and maybe thinking slightly outside the box. Regional travel by vehicle is projected to be this summer’s primary source of vacationing for most Americans. With gas prices down and social distancing up, families will likely stick to traveling to areas within driving distance from home. And what appears to be emerging as this summer’s most popular draw is camping. RV sales and rentals are way up. The trend is expected to continue as people with the means look to social distancing options that allow them to travel, sleep, and eat in the same place. Tents are a less expensive way to have a similar experience. Camping lends itself to quieter and less crowded daily activities including, fishing, hiking, swimming, and S’mores. Or you could rent a place. Whether you live near the beach or a lake, mountains or desert, rental homes are considered a generally safe option. Some parks and beaches may be more limited as states try to maintain social distancing, but if you work within the guidelines, you can enjoy the beauty of a new environment. Go for walks, bike rides, out on a kayak, or canoe. And there’s always the option of a “staycation.” Plan day trips from home. You can likely do any of the above activities just outside your door or a quick car ride away. It’s summer. Take this lemon year we’ve been handed and make some lemonade. (Just don’t have a stand).