The History of Pride Month

The Greater Kansas City Coalition to End Homelessness recognizes, supports, and celebrates June as Pride Month for individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community. Pride Month is in recognition of the series of riots in 1969 that happened at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. Patrons of the bar including many drag queens, butch lesbians, and people of color, fought back as police raided the Inn. The riots were violent, as queer folk held their ground in their demands for dignity and human rights. These riots were some of the first organized protests against LGBTQIA+ discrimination. LGBTQIA+ individuals have always existed and while this was not the origin of the Gay Rights Movement, it was this confrontation and rebellion of the queer community against law enforcement that has inspired continued efforts for social justice for decades. Pride month is a time to commemorate the queer folk who have lost their lives to senseless violence, celebrate the community’s accomplishments, and continue advocacy efforts for equality for all. June 26th also happens to be the anniversary of the ruling of the Marriage Equality Act (Obergefell v. Hodges.), officially granting equal marriage rights to all.

LGTQIA+ Homelessness

Being houseless puts LGBTQIA+ individuals at an extensive risk for harm, exploitation, and violence. Despite LGBTQIA+ individuals making up only approximately 7% of the United States population, they experience homelessness at an alarmingly disproportionate rate. Studies show that between 20-40% of the population experience homelessness. LGBTQIA+ adults are twice as likely to experience homelessness than the rest of the population. 20% of LGBTQIA+ youth experienced homelessness before the age of 18. The reasons vary from person to person, but the most common themes are due to eviction from homes by family and peers, discrimination in housing practices, and from youth running away after being rejected by loved ones.

Community Resources for LGBTQIA+ Individuals

Housing and Shelter

• Pride Haven
• Our Spot/Lion House
• Friends of Yates
• ReStart

Supportive Services

• Kansas City Center for Inclusion
• Legal Aid
• Mattie Rhodes
• Neighbor 2 Neighbor

Health/Wellness

• KC Care Clinic
• Vivent Health
• Planned Parenthood
• Good Samaritan Project
• HIMM Project
• Swope Health
• ReDiscover

Domestic Violence

• Rose Brooks Center
• Synergy Services

Community Events

The Kansas City Pridefest will take place from Friday, June 10th through Sunday, June 12th. The parade will start at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 11th from Westport Rd. & Pennsylvania Ave. All ages are welcome! KC PrideFest

Learn More

PubMed Central (PMC)

LGBTIQ+ Homelessness: A Review of the Literature

Williams Institute

Homelessness Among LGBT Adults in the US

Thank You

Thank you for celebrating Pride with us. The GKCCEH team salutes the resiliency of Kansas City’s vibrant LGBTQIA+ community.