June is Pride Month, a time to recognize and honor the history, resilience, and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals.
Pride Month traces back to the Stonewall Uprising of June 1969, a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement when community members stood against discrimination and police harassment in New York City. This moment helped spark decades of advocacy for dignity, safety, and equal rights.
For behavioral health providers, Pride Month is also a reminder that LGBTQ+ individuals have historically faced and continue to face significant disparities in mental health outcomes, access to care, and experiences of stigma. Affirming, inclusive, and culturally responsive care is essential to effective behavioral health services.
At the Brien Center, we recognize that belonging and respect are foundational to healing. We are committed to fostering an environment where LGBTQ+ clients, families, and staff feel seen, supported, and safe. This includes ongoing attention to how we provide care, how we communicate, and how we uphold dignity in every interaction.
Pride Month is both a celebration and a call to continue building systems that reflect equity, compassion, and inclusion for all people we serve.
Video may be found by clicking here: What is Pride Month?
Resources:
For local events, resources and community-building activities, Berkshire Pride is available:
- Berkshire Pride is a nonprofit organization that promotes inclusion, visibility, support, and advocacy
for LGBTQ+ individuals and families across Berkshire County. 10th Annual Pride Season 2026 |
Berkshire Pride
Other resources:
- The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth crisis support)
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7 support)
https://988lifeline.org/ - Massachusetts LGBTQ+ Youth Commission (state resources and advocacy)
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/lgbtq-youth-commission - GLAAD (media, education, and advocacy resources)
https://www.glaad.org/ - Human Rights Campaign (HRC) resources on LGBTQ+ equality and workplace inclusion)
https://www.hrc.org/
“Hope will never be silent.”
— Harvey Milk recommended works -Harvey Milk:
Film: Milk (2008), starring Sean Penn. The film chronicles Milk’s rise as one of the first openly gay elected
officials in the United States and his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights.