Knowledge is Sexy! Let's Educate Ourselves Together

Here are some fun and interesting facts about the LGBTQ+ community that you might enjoy:

1. The First Pride Parade: The first Pride march took place in New York City on June 28, 1970, one year after the Stonewall Riots, which are often seen as a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. It was called the "Christopher Street Liberation Day" march and had around 2,000 participants!

2. The "Rainbow Flag": The rainbow flag, which has become an iconic symbol of LGBTQ+ pride, was designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978. Each color has its own meaning: Red (life), Orange (healing), Yellow (sunlight), Green (nature), Blue (serenity), and Purple (spirit).

3. LGBTQ+ Representation in Ancient Cultures: Many ancient cultures recognized same-sex relationships and gender diversity. For example, in Ancient Greece, relationships between men were common in certain social contexts, and the Two-Spirit identity was widely respected in many Indigenous cultures in North America.

4. The Word "Lesbian": The term "Lesbian" is derived from the Greek island of Lesbos, where the famous poet Sappho, who wrote about love between women, lived in the 7th century BCE.

5. World's First Openly Gay Head of State: In 2009, Iceland's Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir became the world's first openly gay head of state when she was appointed prime minister.

6. Lesbian Visibility Day: Lesbian Visibility Day, celebrated on April 26, is dedicated to celebrating and uplifting the visibility and voices of lesbian women in the LGBTQ+ community.

7. LGBTQ+ Adoption in the U.S.: As of recent years, same-sex couples have been allowed to adopt children in all 50 states in the U.S., a big step forward for family equality.

8. The First Gay Superhero: DC Comics introduced its first openly gay superhero, "The Pied Piper" (Hartley Rathaway), in 1993. More recently, Marvel's Northstar, a member of the X-Men, was the first superhero to marry his same-sex partner in a 2012 issue.

9. Bert and Ernie Controversy: There's been long-standing speculation that Sesame Street characters Bert and Ernie were a queer couple, but creators of the show have repeatedly stated that they are just "best friends."

10. LGBTQ+ Rights in the World: Many countries have legalized same-sex marriage, but others still have laws that criminalize LGBTQ+ behavior. As of now, 30+ countries have legalized same-sex marriage, including countries like Argentina, Canada, and Spain.

There are so many layers to LGBTQ+ history and culture—it's always fascinating to learn more! What part of LGBTQ+ history or culture are you most curious about?