Pride Month is celebrated each year in June to commemorate the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots in Manhattan, New York City. That uprising against systemic harassment and persecution was just the beginning of a decades-long fight to protect the rights of LGBTQIA+ people. Significant progress has been made to secure equal protections for the queer community, but both blatant and subtle discriminatory laws and practices still exist today. More than 300 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills have been introduced in states across the country this year alone.

Pride Month is an opportunity to highlight the persistent injustices faced by the queer community. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the influence of LGBTQIA+ individuals, foster a spirit of community among members and allies, and call attention to the need for equal rights and visibility.

Sherwood Forest acknowledges that gender and sexuality exist on a spectrum. Every individual has the right to have their gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and family structure be respected. Rigid binary gender expectations and heterosexism limit the freedom of all individuals. We at Sherwood Forest are committed to supporting our campers, staff, and their families through their individual, personal journey of self-exploration and providing a thoughtful community that accepts everyone as they are.