In 1999, June was officially declared Pride Month! It’s a month dedicated to shining a light on the accomplishments and long history of LGBTQIA people. According to a 2025 NY Times report, Over 31 million Americans, or 9.3% of the population, identify as LGBTQIA. There is also an unspecified amount of Americans who, for various reasons, don’t openly identify as LGBTQIA.
For Pride 2025, we’ve put together a few facts about Pride Month and a few icons to be aware of. Read on for more.
Why is Pride Month Important to a Credit Union?
As a community-driven organization, we concern ourselves with uplifting all members of our communities—which includes the LGBTQIA.
A Brief Overview of Pride Month’s History
While the first official, as in government declared, Pride Month was in 1999, the first unofficial Pride Month traces back to June 28, 1970. It was a direct response to the Stonewall Rebellion, sometimes called the Stonewall Riots. In short, law enforcement raided an LGBTQIA establishment which led to a protest over the lack of LGBTQIA rights at the time. For a longer overview of the Stonewall Rebellion, including the activists who led it, check out our 2024 Pride Month article.
LGBTQIA Icons You Should Know
The LGBTQIA community has a rich history of accomplishments that have improved the lives of every American. Here are just a few.
Sally Ride
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Sally Kristen Ride (May 26, 1951-July 23, 2012) is known for a few things. She was the youngest American, at only 32, to have ever gone to space. She was the first American woman in space. And she was the first openly gay astronaut. That said, the revelation that Sally was gay was only revealed in her obituary, which Sally wrote before her passing.
Eric Alva
Eric Alva (December 19, 1970-Present) is a United States Marine Corp war hero and Staff Sergeant who served in the Iraq war, where he lost his leg in the line of duty. He played a major role in repealing the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. As a gay man, he spent the bulk of his military career as openly gay.
Tim Cook
Timothy Donald Cook (November 1, 1960-Present) isn’t exactly a household name but chances are you’re familiar with the company he runs. Tim Cook is the CEO of Apple, Inc., and has been since 2011 when Steve Jobs resigned from the role. Tim Cook is also the only openly gay Fortune 500 CEO.
Svante Pääbo
Svante Pääbo (April 20, 1955-Present) is a geneticist, Nobel Laureate winner, and professor of molecular evolutionary biology. He is also an openly bisexual man, who came out in 2014. He’s spent his career studying genomes and has won numerous scientific awards, including the aforementioned Nobel Laureate, the Nobel Prize, and The Golden Plate Award, to name a few.
Alan Turing
Alan Turing (June 23, 1912-June 7, 1954) is a big deal in the world of theoretical computer science. He was also an openly gay man at a time when the LGBTQIA were openly and legally prosecuted. Despite this, he went on to make amazing discoveries in the world of computer science, not the least of which is the Turing Test. Essentially, the Turing Test is designed to test the limits of artificial intelligence. His contributions play a major factor in the development of modern AI.
Pride Month not only celebrates the influence LGBTQ people have globally, but also recognizes the continuing struggle for equal rights. We’re committed to making everyone feel welcome regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. Creating safe and welcoming environments for our employees, members, and communities is paramount to our mission.
Ways that we address diversity and equity issues on a daily basis include:
- Use of inclusive language
- Removing binary gender wording
- Addressing misgendering and microaggressions
- Inviting employees’ chosen pronouns
- LGBTQIA DEI allyship and advocacy training
- Creating and maintaining safe spaces for all.
- Sponsoring local LGBTQIA events in our areas
Together, we can help make the world a safer and more welcoming place for people of all backgrounds and sexual orientations.