Pride month is every month. The celebration never ends. However, June is the designated pride month where everything is happiness, glitter and loud music. It is also my birthday month, which works out really well.

June became Pride month through a unanimous decision because of the well-known 1969 Stonewall Riots, which happened in New York City during that month. “The Big Apple” then became a common ground for Pride after the riots because it sparked the most famous movement for the entire LGBTQ+ community, members and supporters alike. The Stonewall Riots were a response to a police raid in the Stonewall Inn, a well known gay bar, where anyone and everyone is free to come and be themselves. It is an atmosphere of honor, respect, and of course, souls coming together with the sound of music.

Throughout the years, Pride has spread over the world. Going to places such as England, Brazil, China and the Netherlands. Although tracks differ depending on the country, there is always the unchangeable, well-known ICONIC songs which represent Pride in all the best ways possible. These songs are anthems, and whether you are in the middle of a Pride Parade or a gay bar, these songs will give everyone the rhythm they thought they lost.

The most iconic song is “I’m Coming Out”, by Diana Ross. The story behind the making of this song is quite interesting. During the 1960’s to late 1970’s, there was a great increase in homophobia in the United States. Ross made this song for herself and her fan-base, in a way to bring out the happiness and celebration of being “different”.  In fact, it was considered one of the “smartest moves” Diana Ross made in her career. Coming out has been a term in which many people has used in order to be open about their identity. With an anthem celebrating the most common term in the Gay language, no one is able to remain seated.

Almost as essential to Pride as “I’m Coming Out” is Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.” Even though it was released in 2011, it instantly became an anthem. When I was walking in the Oslo Pride Parade with my friends, everyone around us was tired because of the heat. When the sound boxes started playing the song, it was almost like we walked straight through a portal where everything is alive and energetic and, absolutely beautiful. Every single person (including the crowds of people on the sidewalks watching the parade) were dancing and shouting at the top of their lungs.

“Dancing Queen” by ABBA. This song is about inner strength, unity, and bringing everyone together through dance. A queen is not restricted to a woman or a girl, a queen is anyone who wants to be one. ABBA has the ability to bring beats and melodies into a song which sends shivers down everyone’s spines, directly bringing them to their feet. “You can dance, you can jive”, I can dance and I can jive. I can rule the world.

The final anthem is “I Want to Break Free”, by the one and only: Queen. The legends, the trophies, the majesties of the music kingdom. The lyrics “God knows, got to make it on my own” bring even more power to the music because it connects the main idea of independence and not needing anyone else to push them to be themselves. Queen will always be considered royalty in the LGBTQ+ community.

These so-called Gay Anthems are a small piece joining an entire world-wide community together. This small piece just happens to be the last one before completing the puzzle. Life without music has no harmony, no flow. Celebrations without music could not possibly be celebratory. Pride is strong enough to stand on its own, but with ABBA, Queen, Diana Ross, Lady Gaga, and many more influencers standing behind it, how can anyone say no?

Graded School has recently started a new club, the LGBTQ+ Club. I encourage anyone who is a member, supporter or ally of this community to be a part of it. Graded didn’t have this club for the longest time, and being part of this change is amazing. This club welcomes everyone who wants to spread joy, awareness, happiness, and pride. If you have any questions about it you can contact the three leaders: Helen Liu, Sofia Okroglic, and Melina Smiros. Also, the club leaders are Marcello Bulgarelli (Bulga) and Shormila Roy (Ms. Roy), so any further questions can also be taken up with them.

Spread love and happiness.