June 5, 2025
Each June, Pride Month offers a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the diversity, resilience and contributions of LGBTQ+ communities around the world. It’s a time to honor the struggles for equality, recognize the progress that’s been made and reaffirm our collective commitment to inclusion, respect and human dignity.
Why June? Honoring the Stonewall legacy
Pride Month traces its roots back to the Stonewall riots of June 1969, a watershed moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States. The uprising began when LGBTQ+ patrons of the Stonewall Inn in New York City pushed back against police harassment and discrimination. What followed was a wave of activism that helped ignite the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Today, Pride celebrations are held across the globe in June to remember that pivotal event — and to celebrate the freedom to live and love openly.
GRCC’s commitment to equity and belonging
At Grand Rapids Community College, we believe education should be a place where every student feels valued, respected and empowered. GRCC is proud to stand with our LGBTQ+ students, employees and community partners — not just during Pride Month, but all year long.
As part of our mission to foster a welcoming and inclusive campus, GRCC supports:
- LGBTQ+ student leadership through StandOut, our on-campus student organization that provides space for advocacy, support and connection.
- Educational resources through the GRCC Library, including books, research guides and curated content on LGBTQ+ history and identity.
- Partnerships with local organizations like the Grand Rapids Pride Center, Grand Rapids Trans Foundation and United Campus Christian Fellowship to build bridges between campus and community.
- Policies and practices that uphold the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ students, including non-discrimination, gender-inclusive facilities and access to support services.
Join us at local Pride festivals
This year you’ll find us at these local Pride Festivals:
- Grand Rapids Pride Festival – Sunday, June 22
- Holland Pride Festival – Saturday, June 28
Our enrollment team will host tables at both events, sharing information about GRCC’s academic programs, student resources and inclusive campus culture. Stop by to connect with our team, grab some Pride-themed giveaways — including T-shirts — and show your support for an education system that welcomes everyone.
Explore more resources
In honor of Pride Month, the GRCC Library invites you to learn more about the history and ongoing impact of Pride:
- Read about the Stonewall Uprising in the Library of Congress Research Guides
- Visit the GRCC LGBTQ+ Resources Subject Guide to explore books, articles and tools for learning and advocacy
- Check out the in-library display highlighting LGBTQ+ authors and stories
Pride Month is about visibility, celebration and commitment — values that align closely with GRCC’s vision of accessible, life-changing education. We are proud to celebrate this month with our community and continue working toward a future where all students feel seen, heard and supported.
Happy Pride from all of us at GRCC!