Pride Month is celebrated in June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York. This uprising sparked six days of protest in response to discrimination and violence against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA+) Community.

Today, Pride is observed across the country with parties, parades, art shows, talks, and peaceful protests. These events are colorful and often show rainbows and flags to represent different parts of LGBTQIA+ life.

The first rainbow flag was made by Gilbert Baker in 1987 for San Francisco’s Gay Freedom Celebration. In Baker’s design, each color has a meaning: Pink represents sexuality, red represents life, orange for healing, yellow for the sun, green for nature, turquoise for art, indigo for harmony, and violet for the soul. 

While Pride Month is a time of celebration (of love, respect, and community), many people continue to fear being accepted for who they are. It is also a time to remember those who have suffered or lost their lives due to ignorance and hate.

During Pride Month, we reflect on the progress made in providing protections for the LGBTQIA+ community and focus on the need to combat the repression that still exists. This Pride Month, let’s remember the past and work together for a fairer, more inclusive future. 

Minneapolis: Twin Cities Pride 

Twin Cities Pride will take place June 27-29. It’s an annual festival in Minneapolis with the mission to empower every LGBTQIA+ person to live their true self.

Twin Cities Pride is Minnesota’s second-largest festival and the largest free Pride festival. The festival features entertainment on four stages and hosts over 650 vendors, including LGBTQIA+ and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community resources, artists, and businesses.

In addition to the festival at Loring Park, there will be a youth night, parade through downtown Minneapolis, Rainbow Run, and more community events. 

MNIT and other Minnesota State employees will be marching in the parade and hosting a booth at Loring Park. We encourage you to stop by, say hello, and celebrate with us!

St. Paul Pride Festival 

The St. Paul Pride Festival will take place on June 14 and 15, 2025, at Dual Citizen in St. Paul. It will feature the "Taste of ST.PL," with food from 15 cultures. The festival includes live music, cultural performances, break dance cyphers, DJs, and a youth and family music section featuring Circus Juventas. 

The Pride celebration commemorates and continues the fight against discrimination and the struggle for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer persons and their families. 

St. Paul Pride will have first aid and public safety officials near the festival, prioritizing safety for all and ensuring everyone feels safe and welcome. 

Learn more and get involved! 

• Understand LGBTQIA+ identities and intersectionality. 
• Learn about LGBTQIA+ history in Minnesota. 
• Be a better ally with advice from the Human Rights Campaign.