May 16 is National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day, a time to pay tribute to those who have paved the way for the LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender) community to obtain and continue to seek important legislation and rights. We have numerous elders to thank for the strides made over the last several decades towards equality. As with other civil rights movements, their work has not been easy. Their struggles and victories are marked by courage, persistence, passion, and authenticity so, today, we celebrate them.
History of National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day
With Pride Month (June) right around the corner, today, National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day allows us to remember and recognize those who have come before us by opening doors and charting paths allowing us to fully celebrate the LGBT community.
Chase Brexton Health Care, the LGBT Health Resource Center, was founded out of the need for quality health care for the LGBT community. They officially designated May 16 to the National Day Registry as National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day. The goals of this national day are raising awareness about the ones who came before, recognizing their accomplishments and struggles, providing tools like healthcare services and counseling, patient resources, and providing adequate social services to those who helped propel the LGBT equality cause.
Among our elders are marchers, protestors, flag wavers, supporters, and cheerleaders who came together to embrace and encourage the movement. But there are also people from every walk of life, doctors, politicians, educators, business leaders, military who have served as mentors and true trailblazers, risking security and personal safety to propel the LGBT movement forward.