What PRIDE Really Means: A Celebration of Visibility, Resistance, and Healing
PRIDE is not just a parade. It’s not just a rainbow sticker or a themed month. It’s a movement rooted in pain, protest, healing, and—ultimately—joy. At Artist Eye Counseling, we stand with the LGBTQIA+ community not only in June but every single day. We celebrate PRIDE because we know that visibility can be life-saving, and being affirmed for who you are is a human right, not a luxury.
But to truly celebrate PRIDE, we must understand its origins.
A Brief History of PRIDE
The PRIDE movement began in the shadow of systemic oppression. Before the vibrant parades and mainstream support, there were raids, arrests, and relentless persecution of LGBTQIA+ people—especially trans women of color, drag queens, sex workers, and unhoused youth.
On June 28, 1969, the New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a known gay bar in Greenwich Village. This was not unusual—such raids were common—but that night, the community had had enough. Led by figures like Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and other queer and trans activists, patrons fought back. The protest lasted for several nights and marked a turning point in LGBTQIA+ visibility and resistance.
What followed was a wave of activism and organizing. On the first anniversary of Stonewall, the first Gay Pride marches took place in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. These events weren’t corporate-sponsored celebrations. They were bold acts of defiance, affirming the right to exist, love, and live freely.
“No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us.” —Marsha P. Johnson
PRIDE, then, is deeply political. It’s about remembering those we lost—whether to hate crimes, AIDS, or systemic erasure—and honoring those who continue the fight for justice today.
What PRIDE Means at Artist Eye Counseling
As a practice grounded in inclusivity and creativity, Artist Eye Counseling was built to be a place where LGBTQIA+ individuals can find safety, affirmation, and healing. Many of our clients have experienced religious trauma, medical gaslighting, or family rejection. Others are still navigating the complexities of coming out, exploring gender, or surviving systems that were never built with them in mind.
Our role as therapists is not neutral. We actively affirm and celebrate our clients’ identities, using trauma-informed, neurodivergent-affirming, and LGBTQIA+-affirming modalities. We believe that:
Healing is political. Mental health doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s shaped by systems of oppression and privilege.
Art is resistance. Creativity is a powerful form of expression, especially for those whose voices have been silenced.
Representation matters. Everyone deserves a therapist who sees them, hears them, and believes them.
Whether you’re questioning your identity, processing a history of harm, or simply seeking a space to be fully yourself, we are here.
PRIDE Is a Celebration
Yes, PRIDE began with protest. But it is also a celebration—of how far we’ve come, of queer joy, and of the incredible resilience of a community that continues to shape culture, language, fashion, and art.
At Artist Eye Counseling, we honor PRIDE by:
Offering affordable, affirming therapy to LGBTQIA+ clients, including those on Oregon Health Plan
Supporting trans clients through letters of support for medical transition
Creating groups that center queer and neurodivergent voices
Amplifying queer artists and makers in our future healing studio space
Remaining committed to anti-racist, anti-oppressive care for all
So whether you're waving a flag at a parade, holding space for your own quiet reflection, or still figuring it all out—you are part of this story. And we're honored to walk beside you.
Sources:
Carter, D. (2004). Stonewall: The Riots That Sparked the Gay Revolution. St. Martin’s Press.
NPR (2019). The Stonewall Uprising: 50 Years Later
Human Rights Campaign. The History of Pride
New York Public Library. 1969 Stonewall Riots
From all of us at Artist Eye Counseling—Happy PRIDE. You are valid. You are powerful. You are worthy of joy. 🌈