LGBTQ Pride Month
Pride Month is an entire month dedicated to the uplifting of LGBTQ voices, celebration of LGBTQ culture and the support of LGBTQ rights. Throughout the month of June, nationwide, there have traditionally been parades, protests, drag performances, live theater and memorials and celebrations of life for members of the community who lost their lives to HIV/AIDS. It is part political activism, part celebration of all the LGBTQ community has achieved over the years.
You probably knew that the rainbow flag — created by artist Gilbert Baker in 1978 — is used as a symbol of LGBTQ pride, but did you know that each color on the flag has its own meaning? In the widely known six-color flag, red is symbolic of life, orange is symbolic of healing, yellow is sunshine, green is nature, blue represents harmony and purple is spirit. In the original eight-color flag, hot pink was included to represent sex and turquoise to represent magic/art.
There have been many variations on the flag. In 2021, the flag was altered in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter protests, including black to represent diversity, brown to represent inclusivity and light blue and pink, the colors of the trans pride flag.
Watch a video about the real history of the rainbow pride flag here. There are also a variety of events throughout LA County that can be found on the Discover Los Angeles website.
International Men’s Health Month
During the month of June, we are challenging men to “get up and go,” whether it’s going to exercise, getting screened or eating a healthy meal. This month is all about encouraging the men in your life (including you, men out there!) to take care of their bodies by eating right, exercising, and working to prevent disease.
Check out a collection of tools and resources here.
Well-being
Well-being is more than just about physical health; it also includes emotional, social, financial, intellectual, and occupational wellness. Working towards improving our well-being in all of these areas through a variety of self-care practices helps us move closer toward a state of total well-being.
Please see below for more about LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Men’s Health Week, Effective Communications Month, Employee Wellbeing Month, and Alzheimer’s & Brain Month.