by Stars celebrate and deliver relevant messages about the LGBTQ community during Pride Month.
The month commemorates New York’s 1969 Stonewall Uprising and celebrates the LGBTQ community and the fight for equal rights.
The Stonewall Rebellion began on June 28, 1969, when police raided the Stonewall Inn, a prominent gay bar in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. The subsequent protests over the next six days have been attributed to a shift in LGBTQ activism in the US
This year’s celebration comes amid an increase in states becoming more hostile to the LGBTQ+ community, according to the 2023 Out Leadership State LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index report shared exclusively with USA TODAY.
“As a non-binary queer person, I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of this community that is the epitome of resilience, excellence and joy,” Demi Lovato wrote on Instagram on Thursday to kick off the month. “And for anyone working on their sexual orientation and gender journey, know that you are all extraordinary and exactly who you are meant to be. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
More: Adam Lambert acknowledges his strangeness. How the ‘American Idol’ star overcomes homophobia
Here’s how other stars celebrate Pride.
JoJo Siwa kicks off Pride Month with 3 words
JoJo Siwa, which came out in 2021, celebrated the month of Pride with a photo of herself wearing rainbow-colored Crayola makeup and remembering three words that represent Pride to her: love, acceptance, and celebration.
“We really only get one life. Love who YOU want to love, be with who is good to you and spend time with people who make you feel like the most special person in the world because you are,” wrote Siwa on Instagram. “HAPPY PRIDE MONTH.”
‘I’m so happy’ JoJo Siwa talks about being part of the LGBTQ community
Ariana DeBose celebrates Pride with Elmo
“West Side Story” actress DeBose celebrated Pride on the iconic set of “Sesame Street” along with her furry friend, Elmo.
“Everyone is always welcome on Sesame Street. This month and every month, we want to uplift and celebrate our LGBTQIA+ family, friends and communities,” DeBose said on an Instagram reel on Thursday.
“Happy Pride! Elmo loves you,” the furry red muppet added.
“If we are unhappy, they win” MUNA kicks off Pride with an upbeat Stonewall Inn concert
Janelle Monáe shares an affirmation to celebrate Pride
Ahead of the release of her new album, Monáe shared a clip of her reading one of her affirmations to radio host Angie Martinez to kick off Pride Month.
“As we celebrate ourselves and each other on our journey, here is an affirmation I want to share that has helped me tap into my source of freedom more and more,” Monáe wrote on Instagram on Thursday. “And a reminder to let go of the pressure to be something other than who and where you are on your journey. I love you!”
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Emma Corrin celebrates Pride with a garden selfie
Corrin celebrated Pride Month with a selfie and a reminder to “live fair and love hard,” as she showed off her gardening skills and dog Spencer on Instagram Thursday.
“Happy pride month,” the actor wrote from “My Policeman.” “live truthfully and love hard… yourself and others… reach for your dreams like Spencer reaches for my lunch. Keep sharing, stay strong, and keep planting in white pant pots. You all have this.”
Contributors: Clare Mulroy
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Demi Lovato, Janelle Monáe, Elmo, more stars celebrate Pride 2023
