The 16th of May is National Honour Our LGBT Elders Day, a time to honour those who paved the way for the LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender) community to obtain and continue to pursue vital legislation and rights. We owe numerous ancestors gratitude for the decades-long progress made towards equality. Similar to other civil rights movements, their work has been challenging. Their struggles and victories were marked by courage, perseverance, passion, and sincerity; therefore, we honour them today.
The background of National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day
With Pride Month (June) just around the corner, National Honour Our LGBT Elders Day allows us to remember and recognise those who have paved the way for us to completely celebrate the LGBT community by opening doors and paving the way.
Chase Brexton Health Care, the LGBT Health Resource Centre, was founded in response to the LGBT community’s need for competent health care. They officially designated May 16 as National Honour Our LGBT Elders Day in the National Day Registry. The objectives of this national day include raising awareness about those who came before, recognising their achievements and struggles, providing tools such as healthcare services and counselling, patient resources, and adequate social services to those who contributed to the advancement of LGBT equality.
Marchers, protestors, flag-wavers, supporters, and cheerleaders who joined together to embrace and encourage the movement are among our elders. But there are also individuals from all walks of life, including doctors, politicians, educators, business leaders, and members of the military, who have served as mentors and true trailblazers, putting their own safety and security at risk to advance the LGBT movement.
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5 PIONEERING MEMBERS OF THE LGBT COMMUNITY
Baker, a homosexual artist born in 1951, taught himself to embroider following his honourable discharge from the United States Army. He designed the rainbow flag with eight stripes as a symbol of pride for the homosexual community.
Cammermeyer, who was born in Norway in 1942 and naturalised in 1961, served as a colonel in the Washington National Guard. Glenn Close portrayed her narrative in the 1995 film Serving in Silence.
Eversmeyer, born in 1931 and known as “Arden,” established two organisations, Lesbians Over Age Fifty (LOAF) and the Old Lesbian Oral History Project (OLOHP), to provide older lesbians with access to community resources and to ensure that their unique life stories are documented and celebrated.
Frank Kameny is a prominent figure in the American homosexual rights movement. Through his efforts, homosexuality was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Hudson, a primary organiser of the first homosexual pride march in New York City one year after the Stonewall riots, served as the first Grand Marshall of the march.
NATIONAL HONOR OUR LGBT ELDERS DAY DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2023 | May 16 | Tuesday |
2024 | May 16 | Thursday |
2025 | May 16 | Friday |
2026 | May 16 | Saturday |
2027 | May 16 | Sunday |